I found myself in the vaguely familiar living room that belonged to Melissa, mindlessly staring at the television. Breaking news flashed on the screen. Apparently there had been a drug bust up in Pasadena, where several thousand pounds of cocaine and other drugs were located in an abandoned sawmill. They claimed it was the work of a notorious gang police had been investigating for quite some time.

Looks like their hard work had finally paid off, I thought to myself. A cynical chuckle escaped my throat.

Melissa walked in front of me with the remote in her hand, shutting off the TV.

I looked up. "I was watching that."

"No you weren't," she answered. She then threw herself onto the couch next to me and handed me a beer.

I pressed the bottle to my lips. After tonight I would need all the help I could get for even a wink of sleep. There were hundreds of questions I kept asking myself. What did this mean for my family? Was Ray going to try and come back into our lives? How was I going to tell Anna? Should I even tell her? How would I ever trust Derik again?

I shook the questions, forcing the bottle back to my lips. After I looked over to Melissa. "You're quiet."

She shook her head. "I just don't even know what to say anymore."

I laughed. "Well, that's a first."

Her gaze fell onto me while I peered down the neck of my beer bottle. It was already almost empty. I wondered if Melissa had more. Why couldn't I bring myself to look at her?

Maybe because she would have a sad expression that would resemble pity. I would feel even worse and lie and say I was fine. She would see past it and ask me if I wanted to talk about it. I would refuse. It was all something I terribly wanted to avoid. I was just an unfortunate soul reaping the karmic retribution I deserved.

"How are you dealing with it?" she whispered.

I sighed. "I don't know."

I could feel the tension growing. She wanted to talk about it with me and I was refusing. I just couldn't. Not tonight.

"Do you want another?"

She was referring to a beer. Another would probably make things worse even though I wanted one. I shook my head. "No, I'm fine."

I refused to look over again and stared at the wall instead. I should've been angry. I should've been hurting. I should feel something, but I was numb. Maybe my body had entered a new phase of shock.

It was like when you stubbed your toe, and the aftermath ached for a while if it was bad enough. The initial blow was the most painful, but the rest of the pain came in waves. That's what this felt like. Waves of pain

"What are you thinking?" Melissa asked.

I set the empty bottle on the coffee table. "How I'm going to sleep on this uncomfortable couch tonight."

"You're lying."

This time I turned my head to face her. I didn't want to talk because I knew it would be painful, but sometimes you just had to rip the band aid off. Sometimes it was better to talk. And Melissa seemed to be the only one I had left.

I ran my hand through my hair. "I have no idea how I'm going to tell Anna." The confession made my throat tight. My eyes burned but I blinked it away.

"For now I don't think you should tell her anything. Not until things settle down and make more sense."

Did she mean wait until after our final job? The one Chapman had promised to help us with if we helped him catch Stanley and my father? Was that offer still on the table after tonight?

I shook my head. "And when things start making sense... Then what?"

"Then you tell her everything," she answered. "From start to finish. If you don't it won't make sense and she'll never trust you again."

Hearing it verbally come out of someone's mouth made it even scarier to think about. But she was right. Eventually I would have to tell Anna the truth whether I wanted to or not. She deserved it. And I vowed that I wouldn't become my father. Anna would know everything I was doing and why I was doing it, and that I would never leave her because of it.

"I'm scared that I'll lose her," I confessed.

My voice was quiet like a whisper. As if I was afraid of acknowledging my biggest fear. My sister was the driver behind the wheel of my motivation. She had always been, but was unaware of it. The jobs I did, the money I stole, and the lies I told were all because I just wanted her to have a better life than I had. I wanted her to have the life she deserved.

"Alexa," Melissa spoke, "Anna knows there's something going on. She wants to know the truth. And she may not like it and get angry with you, but she'll listen."

Some of the weight on my chest vanished. It felt nice to talk about it with her, and I knew I wouldn't be able to say that about anyone else. Talking about personal things with other people was like pulling teeth. But of course, there was something different about Melissa. That was becoming clear to me.

I turned to face her again. "What do you think is gonna happen next?"

Her eyes fell from mine as her hands played with her own bottle. "I'm not sure. I guess we'll have to wait until everything with Chapman and Fallon is settled."

"You think he'll help us get into the Bureau again?"

"I think he kind of owes us."

Then things fell silent between us, but it wasn't awkward. There was tension, but it wasn't bad. I couldn't bring myself to accept it. Melissa must've sensed it too because she climbed off of the couch.

"I'm exhausted," she stated, looking down at me. "If you want, I'll take the uncomfortable couch."

I shook my head. "As if. I'll be fine."

She played with her fingers while staring down at them. Was she nervous?

"If it's too uncomfortable..." she started, "I have a bed big enough for the both of us."

I could see the pink on her cheeks. It was cute. My face heated up in response. I just wished the circumstances were different. If they had been then maybe I would've joined her.

I just smiled. "Thanks."

"I'll grab you some blankets."

She quickly dismissed herself and left me alone in the living room. I headed to the kitchen to throw away my bottle and tried not to think too much into her offer. I could feel my heart in my head. Silently I wondered if Melissa was feeling the same way.

When I rejoined her in the living room she was unfolding a large blanket, two pillows already sat on the couch. I approached her slowly, and then took the blanket from her. Our hands touched and heat soared through my veins. I couldn't help but take in her appearance. Had I been too distracted before to notice that she had a small scar on her forehead? And she looked so small and fragile in that large t-shirt...

"Guess this is goodnight?"

I snapped out of my trance and nodded. "Y-Yea... uh, goodnight."

She disappeared into her bedroom but left a small crack in the door. I took my place on the couch and stared up at the ceiling.

What was next for me and my dismantled group? There was no more trust. How were we going to perform this last mission when everything about this was broken beyond compare?

We would have to get Victoria to help this time, because not only was this for us, but it was for her too. She was the only one that knew the security system well enough to get us where we needed to go. But would she be on board?

Eventually the exhaustion was too strong to fight. My eyes then stared at Melissa's bedroom door. The couch wasn't uncomfortable, but I knew lying next to her would be so much better. I forced the thoughts away.

Darkness finally moved in. Sleep fell over me like a heavy blanket. I welcomed it, hoping there would be no dreams tonight. Just sleep. But maybe that was asking for too much.

* * *

My eyes were reluctant to open the next day. The sunlight reached through the window and touched my face, signaling it was time to get up. It took me a second to come too, allowing the previous events from the night before to resurface. I glanced at the clock and realized it was in fact noon. Had I really slept this late?

I decided to get up, knowing I wouldn't be able to sleep anymore. My feet carried me to the kitchen where I felt the need to do something nice. Melissa had allowed me to stay over in a time of need. The least I could do was make her breakfast. I turned on the stove and got to work.

It had been a good fifteen minutes before I felt her presence join me, but I didn't turn around. The chair at the island pulled out and I waited for her to ask me what the hell I was doing. But she never did.

"You cook?"

"Of course I cook," I answered. "How do you take your coffee?"

I turned around with two plates in my hand. She was shaking her head. "You don't have to..." Then she saw my face that insisted otherwise. "A little sugar, a lot of cream."

After setting down our plates I poured two cups. Then I joined her at the island. "I know I don't have to."

She didn't move to eat. She just kind of stared at me, which then made me nervous. What was she looking at? Did I look that bad in the morning?

"Breakfast for lunch is always great." She pulled her gaze away and picked up her fork. "I'll have to invite you over more often."

I smiled to myself. It was nice to hear that come from Melissa, but I wondered if there was something she had left out. I knew it was probably best if I didn't ask.

"So what are the plans today?" she questioned.

"I don't know. I guess wait and see if Chapman calls us."

"You think he will?"

I just nodded. There was a feeling in my stomach that it would happen. It would happen soon because the longer we waited the riskier the job became. And if Chapman had promised to help us he would want this over with as soon as possible.

Just the thought of having to deal with all of this again made me lose my appetite. I set my fork down.

"Remember when I bailed on you on our first job?" Melissa asked. I thought it was odd that she was bringing this up considering it was past us, but maybe there was a reason.

I shrugged, "Yeah?"

She pushed her eggs around her plate before answering. "I ran because I was scared," she admitted. "Not because I didn't like you. You're brave, Alexa. Braver than anyone I've ever met."

This caught me off guard. Where exactly had that come from? I always thought Melissa had bailed because I had done nothing but resent her after first meeting her. Apparently that wasn't the case.

"Um, well thanks I guess..."

"I'm telling you this because I want you to know I won't leave you again." She allowed herself to look at me this time. "I have your back."

Was I smiling? It was nice to know I had someone by my side. I wouldn't have to carry the load by myself anymore, because Melissa was here willing to help.

I sighed, "You still think I don't trust you?"

Her sleepy eyes dropped back to her plate, "I would understand if you didn't..."

I placed my hand on her knee. "I trust you Melissa. I mean that."

In this moment I realized our relationship had grown into something sturdier than what I had left between me and Derik. She had sacrificed her help even when I had given her the perfect reason to leave. I had attempted to ice her out but she stayed. God, I was so grateful she decided to stick around.

My face was burning from the physical contact. Her eyes were locked with mine and suddenly the tension I had felt last night was back. She looked good with bed head...

That's when my phone rang. We jumped out of our moment and I glanced at the screen.

I picked it up and answered. "Chapman."

"Alexa, I believe you and your friends have unfinished business," he answered.

Like I had assumed, Chapman insisted we do this as soon as possible. The thought of facing Derik and Willi made my stomach hurt, but Chapman had good intentions. The sooner the better in this case. It was time to grow up because there wasn't any time to waste.

My hand nervously raked through my hair. "Have you contacted Derik?"

"Yes, he agreed to meet in a few hours."

I glanced at the clock. "Me and Melissa will be there."

"Your father wants to talk to you."

A cold chill ran down my spine. My father wanted to talk to me. This didn't come as a surprise, but he was the last thing I wanted to deal with. "Well, I have nothing to say to him." Then I ended the call.

Melissa was looking at me with a confused expression. "What was that all about?"

"We're meeting with Chapman in a few hours," I answered. I knew she could tell I was leaving out information but she didn't press me. "Do you mind if I use your shower?"

Melissa gave me a weak smile. "Sure. Do you want some clothes?"

All I could do was nod. I was too distraught over the possibility of having to face my father on top of seeing Derik and Willi. How had I ended up in this situation? And how on earth was I going to deal with it?

Melissa wasted no time grabbing me a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt before I dismissed myself into her bathroom. After last night I had been too exhausted to do anything but sit on her couch, so a shower was much needed.

In just a few hours all of us would meet in Chapman's office to discuss how we would break into the Bureau and when it would happen. I forced myself not to think about it too much considering the last time we went there we had almost died. I found myself praying everything went well this time. We were so close.

After the shower I had thrown on the borrowed clothes and began brushing my hair. That's when there was a light knock on the door.

"You okay?" Melissa asked.

How long had I been in the shower? "Yeah, just finishing up," I answered.

I gathered myself before opening the bathroom door. She was sitting on the bed waiting, her soft eyes watching me as if she was waiting for me to break.

She stood. "Feel better?"

No. "A little," I lied. I didn't want to be a complainer.

She walked closer to me and took the towels from my hands. "You know," she started, "You don't have to be a hard ass all the time."

"Yes I do."

It wasn't fair that she could see me like this. It wasn't fair that there were things I felt for her that I couldn't even admit to myself, much less Melissa. It wasn't fair that she could see through my mask when no one else had ever bothered to try.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry that all of this is happening."

"My life's been a mess from day one."

"But you have to think about the positive," she stated. "At least you know your father's alive and willing to come back into your life." Then she left the room.

Guilt slapped me in the face. I felt the mood change at the remembrance of Melissa's father being dead. How could I sit here and complain to her knowing that? There were people who had it much worse than me. People like Melissa.

But I could still see my father's expression when he had spotted me last night. He had looked like he had seen a ghost. I had probably looked the same way. But there had been a look in his eyes that told me he had been happy to see me. Had he been happy to see me? Even if the situation hadn't called for a family reunion?

A knock on the front door pulled me out of my thoughts. Willi was here to pick us up. Anger flared. I figured it would take some time for that not to happen.

Melissa poked her head into the room. "Ready?"

I exhaled. "No."

She reached out and took my hand in hers. I could do this. I could do this as long as she was with me.

We left the safety of her house and climbed into Willi's truck. I didn't say a word to him but I didn't have to. Melissa filled the silence for us.

Willi had to have known about my father too. Derik had told him. And all I could think about was the night on the freight ship. My father had been there and I had no idea. All of the edginess Derik and Willi had displayed was because my father had been in that meeting room and they hadn't wanted to tell me. Why hadn't they told me after? Why had Derik been so hell bent on keeping me from the truth?

The ride didn't take as long as I expected, and soon we were arriving at the NIA headquarters. My heart thumped in my chest at the sight. I really wasn't ready for this but I didn't have a choice.

The walk to Chapman's office felt like an eternity. My palms were sweaty. I couldn't ignore the pounding in my chest. Everything seemed to be moving too fast. The people, the elevator, my breathing... Why was I breathing so hard?

Melissa's hand slipped into mine again. I closed my eyes and counted to ten.

Then we were in Chapman's office. Derik sat alongside my father. I felt my hand squeeze Melissa's before dropping it in response and taking my place on the opposite side of the room.

Chapman looked at me, "First off, I want to apologize for last night. If I would've known Fallon and I would cross paths I would've never involved your team in any of this. It was all a lack of communication, but we still reached our goal."

I didn't move my gaze off of Chapman even though I could feel multiple pairs of eyes on me. I knew two of them belonged to my father and Derik.

This meeting was being held on thin ice, and if Chapman didn't get with it I was sure it was seconds away from collapsing.

Chapman shifted in his seat, "But I made a promise, and I'm holding true to my end of the deal."

"How so?" I cut in.

The tension in the room thickened. Had everyone expected me to sit back and be quiet? After everything that had happened it would've been predictable.

Chapman nodded, "Since Stanley's arrest our guys have been in and out of the Bureau conducting investigations to see if other people could be involved. The building is on lockdown and will be for the next few days. GIB workers aren't allowed back inside until we finish our search. And after midnight the building is completely empty."

I knew why he was telling us this. He was hinting that if we wanted to insure our team's freedom and safety, we needed to act soon. Or in other words, get the job done within the next forty-eight hours.

"Well, what do you suggest?" I asked.

"I suggest tomorrow night," he answered. "But you'll need help getting in, and I can't provide you with that. All I can give you are weapons and transportation."

"Victoria," I stated. I looked over to Derik for the first time since getting here. He just nodded silently.

"She's the only one who knows their system and how to get into it without being detected," Chapman agreed.

"And once we're in?" Derik asked.

"I say the safest way is through the parking garage. Once you're in, take the elevator to the thirteenth floor where the main system is. I'm sure Victoria will advise you on how to delete the files without leaving any traces."

My father shifted in his seat, "What's the point of all this?"

"To protect our families," I snapped. A nasty taste filled my mouth.

Everything fell silent again. Was I being too harsh? Why was everyone looking at me like they were scared of me?

Then Derik nodded. "We've seen the information they have on us. It's a lot. Especially on Victoria. They're looking for her and we don't know why. We just know they can't find her, and it's likely their intentions aren't good. The only way to secure her safety, along with our own, is to go in there and get rid of everything they have."

"What about the physical files?" Melissa asked.

Chapman leaned back into his chair. So did Derik.

"We'll have to split up," I answered.

During a job we never split up. It always seemed like a bad idea, but we would have to this time. It was the only way to make sure we got rid of everything in the fastest amount of time.

I continued, "Melissa and I will go to the thirteenth floor."

"And Willi and I will go to the informatics department on the ninth," Derik agreed.

Derik wasn't arguing with my decision. He was letting me call the shots? Guess I had finally earned some decision-making respect around here. Or maybe he just didn't want to set me off like my father had.

"What can I do? I'm not letting them go in there without me," my father included.

"We don't need you," I answered. "Five's a crowd."

His mouth opened and closed without a word. He wanted nothing more than to argue, but why argue with a stranger? That's what I was to him now.

"I'll talk to Vic as soon as I can," Derik finished.

Chapman nodded. "This is your job. I can only do so much this time."

"To be honest Chapman," Derik paused. "I think you've done enough." Then he walked out of the office, indicating the meeting was over.

Melissa nudged me. "Let's go."

But before I could escape Chapman called me back. "Alexa, I'd like to have a word with you before you go."

I looked back at him and then to Melissa. "I'll meet you in the lobby."

All she could do was nod and grant me space.

Closing the door behind them I turned to face Chapman, my dad remained in the chair next to his desk. I crossed my arms. "Though you said you wanted to have a word with me. Not me and my father."

"I want to offer you a position here as an agent," Chapman answered.

What? Had I heard him correctly? A job? As in a full-time, everyday pay like a normal person in society? This is what I had been searching for. Me, working for Chapman, as an agent for the NIA? And what would that even consist of? Would I be going away all the time like dad? Or would I have more stable ground if I chose?

"Are you joking?" I asked.

He stood. "Not at all. I know your financial situation, and you've been loyal to me this entire time. You were willing to help not only me but your friend Victoria. That's true commitment, which is very rare. You'd be a great addition to our team."

I blinked a few times, expecting to wake up from the nightmare-slash-dream state I seemed to be living in. This was a huge offer, and I didn't know what to do.

"Of course you'd have to go through training," he continued. "But once you graduate you'd be an official agent."

I found myself at a loss for words. "You're serious about this...? About me?"

"Alexa I'm willing to vouch for you," he answered. Suddenly he was no longer a selfish man only wanting to further his agenda. He saw something in me. He wanted to help me. My emotions ran high.

"I uh..." I cleared my throat. "Could you give me some time to think it over?"

He smiled. "Of course. When you have an answer, you know where to find me."

My body was warm. Like I was sitting out on the beach under the California sun. My body aches were gone just for the moment and a smile grew on my face. After all the bad I had to go through, this absolutely made up for it.

I turned to leave the office, basking in the sense of happiness I had found when my dad blocked my path. His eyes pleaded for me to talk to him. "Alexa, please let me explain everything..."

My jaw flexed in pain. Why couldn't he just leave me be? Why couldn't he just let me feel happy? I wasn't ready for this.

I shook my head. "Not right now."

"Then when?" he pleaded.

"When I'm ready," I answered.

I didn't know when exactly that would be, but as of right now it seemed impossible. It hurt too much to even look at him. Before I could succumb to the pain of the full truth I needed to heal the old wounds first. There was more to his story that he was desperate to tell me, but I wasn't ready. He wasn't who I thought he was, and I needed to accept that first.

The look on his face told me he wanted to argue. He wanted to demand me to listen to him but he was no longer a part of my life. I wasn't the little girl he had left behind anymore. And if he wanted me to love him like I had when I was a child I was sure to disappoint.

"I'm sorry," I finished, pushing past him to leave.

I disappeared into the elevator and punched the ground floor where Melissa waited for me. All I could think about was Anna, who still hadn't called me. She was still at Holly's, avoiding me like I was avoiding my father. The irony was almost too much. But I wouldn't be my dad, and I would tell Anna the truth after we finished everything tomorrow night. I would show her she could trust me and that I wouldn't hide things from her anymore.

When I made it to the ground floor Melissa was immediately at my side. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Yea... I just need to get out of here."

When would my body stop freaking out on me in a time of distress? And what would happen if Melissa wasn't always there to calm me down?

"Well then, let's get the hell out of here," she answered before pulling me outside and away from the NIA building.