Mackenzie returned to the flat, he saw no sign of Aurelia, his skin glistening with sweat. He entered the bedroom and changed his shirt, little did he know Aurelia was there, she was just coming out of the bathroom, She startled him, "Sorry I didn't mean to startle you." She said, 
"No, it's fine."  Mackenzie replied. "I'm glad you kept up with the running," Aurelia said with a hint of admiration in her voice.
"It was the only thing that helped me to think, after... after you died," Mackenzie replied, his gaze meeting hers.
Aurelia moved closer to him. "Let me in, Mac, tell me what you're thinking." she whispered. For a moment, they both lost themselves in each other's blue eyes. Mackenzie didn't say anything, he placed his hand on her chest, he felt her heart beating. She was alive. She was real. He realised that having her back no matter what the circumstances was all he ever wanted and the fact she was here standing in front of him was some kind of miracle. Mackenzie leaned forward towards her and they kissed. It was just like Mackenzie remembered, both of them lost in each other, a longing to be together after so long.

•••

The next morning, the London flat was filled with a quiet hum, the city's noise muffled by the thick glass windows. Mac woke and rubbed his eyes, his gaze instantly fixed on   was already up. Her eyes lit up as she looked at their wedding photos on the sideboard, she had a soft smile on her face.
"Remember this, Mac?" she asked, pointing at a picture of them dancing. "You stepped on my dress and almost made us both fall."
He chuckled, the memory brought a warmth to his heart.
Aurelia turned to Mackenzie,
“I wanted to ask, why were you at The Alternates Institute yesterday? How did you find out about it?”
“Oh, I found your memory stick and then MI6 asked me to go there and investigate, then I bump into you.” Mackenzie replied now feeling a weight had lifted telling her.
“Why are MI6 investigating the institute?” Aurelia asked.
“Because they know your death was suspicious and the dangers that human cloning could pose, they just wanted to be sure something terrible doesn't happen and I needed answers about you, so I accepted the mission because I needed closure.”
Aurelia understood everything, His worries
“I don't trust Dr Waweski.” Mackenzie said.
“I agree something is off with him, especially these past few weeks he has ramped up the Programme, he's more agitated than before I think there are things he's not telling me.”  Aurellia said with concern.
Aurelia moved towards him. Mackenzie was deep in thought.
"Does Dr Waweski know about me?" he asked, "Did you ever tell him about us?” Mackenzie asked.
Aurellia shook her head, "I never spoke about you to him," she said. Mackenzie felt relieved about that. He knew he had to return to The Alternates Institute to finish what he started.
He picked up his phone, and dialled his MI6 contacts.
"Mr John, it's Mackenzie," he said.
"We need to meet, It's about Dr Waweski."
Mackenzie didn't mention Aurelia. Not yet. He wasn't sure what would happen if they found out she was there with him.
A meeting was set up for later that day at their secret headquarters in East London, near a derelict warehouse.

•••

Mackenzie's eyes met Aurelia's. He was ready to attend the meeting with Mr John and Mrs Ashton, He was wearing a black suit and tie. He has his hair gelled back and his usual designer stubble.
"Mac." Aurelia began, "Are you sure about this?"
He nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. "I have to go," he said, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that clouded his mind. "You need to stay put in the flat until I get back."
"But what if--"
"No," he interrupted, his tone firm. "You can't be seen, Aurelia. Not now. It's too risky."
Aurelia bit her lip, her eyes welling up with worry. She knew the stakes were high. But she also knew Mackenzie, knew his determination, his unwavering resolve. She nodded, a silent promise passing between them.
"I'll stay put," she said, her voice barely audible. "I promise."
Mackenzie gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. He then turned around, his figure disappearing into the lobby, leaving Aurelia alone in the flat.
As the door closed behind him, Aurelia let out a breath she didn't realise she had been holding. She looked around the empty flat, the silence deafening in Mackenzie's absence. She knew she had to keep her promise, knew she had to stay put until Mackenzie returned.
And so, she waited, her heart heavy with worry, her mind filled with thoughts of Mackenzie.

•••

Mackenzie pulled up to the building in his black Audi.
The headquarters structure blended in with the rest of the industrial landscape. Inside the warehouse was a hive of activity, filled with state of the art technology and bustling with people.
Mackenzie was greeted by Mr John and Mrs Ashton. Their faces were serious. He took a deep breath, ready to dive into the discussion. He wanted to know how these clones were made. He needed to understand the science behind it, the process, everything. He hoped that by understanding, he could come to terms with his new reality.
As they sat down to discuss, Mackenzie couldn't help but glance at his phone, a picture of Aurelia on his screen. Mr John and Mrs Ashton had noticed Mac's distraction and seemingly thought he might have more knowledge of the Alternates Programme.
"Mackenzie, did you see something at the Institute that you want to tell us about.?" Mrs Ashton asked.
Mac hesitated, “Only hundreds of clones waiting to be woken up.”
"We need you to go back there, Mackenzie," Mr John said, "This time, you're not just an observer. You're one of them."
Mackenzie felt a chill run down his spine. The Institute was a place of nightmares, a labyrinth of secrets where the line between science and morality blurred. He was to pose as a doctor and to get close to Dr Waweski to uncover the truth behind the existence of the clones.
His mind wandered to Aurelia, She was a secret he kept hidden in their shared flat, a secret he feared would be discovered. The thought of losing her again was unbearable. Mrs Ashton handed him a ID card, "You'll be Dr Daniel Smith," she said, "Remember, your mission is to get close to Waweski. Find out what happens there."
Mackenzie nodded, accepting the card. He was stepping into a world of unknowns, a world where he might find answers or lose everything he held dear. As he left the MI6 headquarters, the weight of his new identity settled on his shoulders. He was no longer Mackenzie O'Connor. He was Dr Smith, an employee of the Alternates Institute.