Hello my lovelies!

Missed me? I have missed you!!

So here's another chapter and I am now on my second week of work, ending in a few days! So hopefully by next week I'll be able to focus more on my stories ;) It will take a bit time as I am a slow writer in the context that it takes multiple hours for me to write one chapter.

This is a boring filler chapter. The story isn't ending just yet. Hopefully some more action and progress of a certain relationship ;), then I guess The End :/ So yeah, the end is kind of near though but not too near ;)

Bear with me please :$ <3

So I wanted to ask you guys what you actually like about this story? The question has been on my mind for very long so please beautiful share your thoughts with me! <3

Love
Shona <3

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Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness. The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there.

Eric Hoffer

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Shawns words leaves a void in my chest. "There's no next for us. You're now officially free to go home." I blink several times, a bit surprised at how those words that I have been waiting for so long to hear makes me feel empty.

Letting the words sink into my system I finally manage to smile and a warmth sips through me when realizing what exactly those words means. What can be more liberating than being able to go home? What can possibly make me more happy?

Allhamdullilah, thank God, it is over. Tears starts to prick my eyelids for some strange reason, maybe due to the relief pumping through every vein of my body? I have no idea why I am so emotional right now, a strange unfamiliar pain stings my heart.

Shawns eyes gazes at me worriedly, isn't it strange that Shawn can be worried? "Hey Sana? Are you okay?" He hesitantly questions and I nod assuring while wiping away my tears.

"I am just." I don't know what to even say as I am not sure why I am behaving this way. "Overwhelmed." I should be jumping up and down as I am finally going back to my safe haven.

Shawn nods quickly hiding his emotions, he surely knows how to mask his feelings. He looked worried a second ago and now he seem expressionless.

A arm encircles my shoulders, giving me a more or less sideway hug. "Hey girl, why are you crying?" Javed asks with a soft smile while his green eyes shines brightly. "I get it, tears of joy right?" I chuckle at that while Shawn distances himself from us.

Zaki, Saeed and Ibrahim comes to join us. "You will miss us won't you?" Zaki asks innocently.

I chuckle and nod. "Of course I will." I honestly reply with a raspy voice.

In Islam it is wrong to mingle with males who for you are non-mahrams, meaning someone you can marry. I know that the relationship I am sharing with the boys are wrong in a Islamic view but I honestly do consider Javed, Zaki, Saeed and Ibrahim as my brothers. I am not saying it to defend my act but that's just how I feel and I know it is wrong. I hope Allah forgives me for my blunders, Astaghfirullah meaning I seek forgiveness from Allah.

"You know the great lecturer you are I won't be surprised to see you as the next Prime Minister." Ibrahim jokes and I chuckle at that, yeah I wish.

"Hey guys, we have been called by the American embassy. They want us there as soon as possible." Saeed informs us suddenly with slightly furrowed eyebrows as he eyes his phone.

The American embassy at this hour? Shouldn't they be closed?

"Yeah, I have also received the message." Comes Shawns voice, look who decided to show up again. "We have to leave now." He informs us.

I turn to Shawn. "What about us girls?" I question referring to me, Sahara, Sara, Maryam and aunt Heba.

Meeting my eyes his words surprises me. "They want all of us there." He emphasized the words all and us, I nod as an answer.

Why would they want all of us there? I hope they aren't dissatisfied with us or something. The feeling of being in trouble again arises in me but I try to push it away.

Shawn walks out of the hotel room and the rest of us quickly follow after packing up all the equipment. Walking through the entrance of the hotel the receptionist stares at us with wide eyes, I guess she recognized me? The television in the lobby is actually on.

Taking in a deep breath of fresh air I start to walk towards Javeds car instead of Shawns, why? Don't ask me I don't know.

Javed rolls down the window when seeing me. "Hey?" Javed says slightly confused meeting my eyes. "You know this car is full?" He enlightens me and I feel stupid.

"Yeah I was just going to ask how long the ride would take to Stockholm." Javed raises his eyebrows amused.

"That was the lamest excuse I have ever heard." He chuckles and I turn crimson, yeah I am bad at covering my thoughts. "Why are you suddenly avoiding Shawn?" He questions and I look at him perplexed, am I so easy to read?

I shake my head. "I am not avoiding him." I shrug while he looks at me in sheer disbelief and before he can say anything else I turn on my heels.

Uncomfortably I take my seat next to Shawn. Igniting the car and without even taking away his gaze from the road he asks me about the one topic I want to avoid. "Why are you ignoring me?" He questions and I continue staring out of the window.

"I am not ignoring you." I partly tell the truth, as actually I am not sure if I am avoiding him.

Why would I avoid him? He has been saving my butt all along. Actually I might just be annoyed as he is a man of few words. He barley speaks and always have this wall built around him. What am I even talking about? He has opened up to me more than I have ever seen him open up to anyone else, stop acting like a rotten egg Sana!

Thankfully Shawn doesn't push the topic any further. I sigh in relief and lean back in my seat. The thought of being able to sleep in my own bed soon makes me smile widely.

When finally walking into the American embassy we are escorted into a conference room. The ambassador named Carl welcomes us and we sit down. I have Sahara on my left and Shawn on my right.

"We have called you here to congratulate you guys for succeeding in your mission. Shawn, you and your team has fulfilled your duties and the U.S. Government is proud of you. You're allowed to go back home." Those words stings my heart for some unknown reason, actually I know that I'll miss them.

My mind tells me to not trust anything Carl says, it might all be web full with lies. Shawn has surely aced the mission but he was forced into it. His sister and brother-in-law is still in the U.S. Governments custody.

Shawn nods and I sense him go rigid. "Great." Is the only word that leaves from him.

The ocean blue eyed blond turns to me. "Sana, we are really happy with your effort and you will even be rewarded a diploma for showing our gratitude." Carl says diplomatically.

Feeling numb I am not sure what to reply. "Thank you." I monotonously say and try to be polite.

He then turns to Sahara. "Sahara as promised you're given a job in our embassy, and we will help you in every way we can to reach your goals regarding your choices in career." Sahara sighs in relief.

A tear slips from her overwhelmed eyes. "Thank you, it means the world to me." She shows her gratitude to Carl and I do understand where she is coming from.

"You're more than welcome." Carl says with a professional smile which bugs me.

He turns to a tired aunt Heba, Maryam and Sara. "I know your situation and we will provide you with everything we can to help you stand on your feet. We are proud of you for your bravery!" Carl takes out a cluster of keys and hands it to aunt Heba. "This is the keys to your new apartment. You're going to be given new identities and we'll help you with whatever you choose to do. If you feel you want to continue with your academic studies then you'll study and if you decide to work we will help you to find suitable jobs." Hearing those words aunt Heba starts to cry and my heart breaks for her.

This must be a relief for her and at the same time a hard situation. Maryam and Sara is quick to console their mother by hugging her. A hand with a box of tissues is presented in front of me and I look up to the face the hand belongs to. Shawn soft face nods for me to take a tissue and I do. I hadn't realized the wet traces of tears across my cheeks. Sniffing I gently wipe away my tears.

Employers of the embassy comes with trays filled with cake and snacks. They cheer for us while applauding. Handing us cakes to celebrate I can't seem to find my appetite and leave the chocolate cake untouched on the table.

Walking out of the embassy I cross my arms while looking down at the beige stairs. Closing my eyes I inhale a deep breath, the cold fresh air sipping through my lungs soothes me. "Are you ok?" A worried familiar deep voice reaches my ears. "You are acting different." Shawn states when I don't reply him.

I open my eyes to find him right in front of me a step down on the stairs, my eyes widens a fraction and my heart skips a beat. "I am just tired." I finally manage to say boring my eyes into his. "Missing my family." I tell him with a sigh.

His eyes flashes different emotions and the depth of his icy eyes increases. "You'll meet them soon, it is just that you have to give an interview before we can leave." My eyebrows shoots up in surprise.

"Interview?" I question and he nods not leaving my eyes, Shawns eyes are holding different emotions today as if his inner is battling with himself.

"Yeah, we thought it would be easier for you to give one now which can be distributed to all the channels instead of repeating the procedure with every single one." I nod, that's true and less time consuming.

Turning on my heals we head back inside where a woman named Linda is waiting for me. When we both are ready she starts with the interview. She asks me about my days being kidnapped, inquires about how I ended up getting along with my kidnapper, how it felt being a part of a mission, how I felt about sharing the same religion as the terrorists and so on.

Patiently I answered all her questions even though some of the questions annoyed me. I mean seriously? How do I feel about sharing the same religion as the terrorists? That's like me asking her about how it feels to share the same religion as Hitler?

Changing the topic she starts to make me uncomfortable. "So you don't know when you started to get along with your so called kidnapper?" I shake my head, how hard I even try I don't know when or how we started to get along, I am not even sure if we do get along.

She smiles with her painted red full lips. "What's the best and worst quality of Shawn?" She inquires suddenly and I stare at her dumbfounded. "Sorry, you don't need to answer that." She quickly adds seeing my expressions.

I shake my head slowly and plaster a forceful smile. "Well." I start with a stutter unsure of what to say. "He has many good qualities." I hesitantly continue. "He is a great officer, he is caring, smart and overall a good human being." I fumble with my words, nevertheless Linda seem satisfied with my answer.

"And what about the bad qualities?" She further pushes.

I bite my dry lips. "He doesn't really have bad qualities. He is just a man of few words, rarely smiles and has a hot temper." I say a bit uncomfortable as I don't know what Shawn will think of me sharing all of this.

"Suits his image then." She winks and I can't help to smile at that.

Everyone seem to be smitten of Shawns appearance, best of luck getting a piece of his inner.

"Thank you for your time." she finishes and I nod.

Finally I am done with the interview and can leave from here. I just want to get back home and hug my mom. "I'll be escorting you home." Shawn informs me and it sounds so weird, escort me home.

"What are you my bodyguard or something?" I tease and he rolls his eyes.

"You wish." He says and I raise a eyebrow.

"Anyway, I think you all should join me and meet my family." I invite them all.

Aunt Heba shakes her head. "My dear, thank you but we are really tired and would like to get some rest." I understandingly nod and give her a hug.

A car from the embassy are going to drive them to their new apartment. I look at the rest who agrees to meet my family. Finally stepping into Shawns car after saying goodbye to aunt Heba, Sara and Maryam we are on our way home.

When after twenty minutes drive we finally reach the familiar brown house I can't stop feeling glee. My whole body shivers and at the same time tickles in anticipation. I am home! I am finally back home! Shawn can't even fully halt the car before I jump out and run towards our door. I ring the bell and as soon as the door open I engulf my mother in a bone crushing hug.

"Sana!" My mother softly says hugging me back. "Oh thank God you're finally back." I can feel her hot tears fall on my head.

She plants kisses on me and I kiss her hands. "I have missed you so much!" I cry and hug her again.

"I missed you too dear." She plants a kiss on my head. "Who are these?" She suddenly inquires wiping away her tears with the back of her hand and I look up at her confused.

Following her eyes behind me I see Shawn, Javed, Zaki, Ibrahim, Saeed and Sahara standing awkwardly. I smile at the sight. "Mom these are my kidnappers turned friends." My mom looks at then sheepishly. "This is Shawn, Sahara, Javed, Ibrahim, Zaki and Saeed." I introduce. "And guys this is my beautiful mom." I proudly boost and they greet her in unison.

My mother grimaces as if contemplating how to act. "Okay can you enlighten me if I should be throwing a fit that they kidnapped you and held you hostage or should I act as if they're our well wishers?" She asks me directly with her brown eyes in dilemma.

I give her a soft smile. "Forgive and forget mom. They are friends now so of course well wishers." I say with my heart suddenly hammering.

She looks at them again for a second and then nods.

She leans her head closer to my ear. "Shawn, isn't he the friend who I talked to on the phone a few days back?" My mother inquires with curiosity, emphasizing the word friend, and I nod. "I must say he is good looking." My mother whispers into my ear and I roll my eyes, should I be telling my mother to lower her gaze?

Shawn seem on edge and I guess he knows we are talking about him. "Won't you let us in?" I question my mom and she looks embarrassed.

"Oh my Allah, right. Come in guys, consider this your own home." She invites them in and I chuckle. "Aahil! Aaliya! Come down!" My mom calls my precious siblings.

I hide beside the stairs. My younger siblings on seven and ten years strolls down and stands in front of mom. "What is it mom?" Aaliya questions with Aahil beside her.

I quietly run up to them from behind. "Buh!" I shout to startle them and they turns around with wide eyes. "Guess who's back?" I whisper between them and throw my arms around them.

"Oh my God! Sana!" My ten years old sister says and I can't help to laugh at the way she says oh my God.

They both jumps on me engulfing me in hugs and I lay on the floor with my brats on top of me, this is happiness. "Why where you gone for so long?" My younger brother pouts. "I cried so much and mom said you were on a trip with work." I sigh and hug them hard.

"I am sorry baby, I didn't want to leave." I apologize and kiss my siblings.

"Okay now, leave Sana alone." My mother comes and makes us stand up.

"Who is he?" My brother points at Shawn who is leaned against the door to the living room observing us.

I hadn't actually noticed him.

Shawn smiles at Aahil. "I am Shawn, your sisters boss." He says and I narrow my eyes at him.

"Very funny." I mutter drily while he raises his eyebrows amused.

"Boss?" Aaliya questions innocently.

That gives me a idea. "Yeah he is the bad man who made me stay away from you and made me work loads." I fake being sad.

Shawn rolls his eyes at me but still has a amused smile etched on his lips. "Aaliya! Attack him!" My brother orders and they run towards Shawn.

As they can't exactly jump at him they satisfy themselves with hanging on him. I chuckle at the sight and Shawn can't help to laugh himself. He takes them in his arms and moves with them to the living room.

"No the bad man is strong." I can hear Aahil complain and I shake my head amused before walking into the kitchen where my mom is engrossed in cooking.

Gosh I have missed my moms food. "Mom, when's dad coming home?" I inquire.

I sit down next to the brown table. "He should be home in a minute actually." She says and takes a long glance at me. "I have missed you so." She plants another kiss on my head and hugs me, I immediately respond to the hug. "Go and attend the guests." She orders me and I roll my eyes, that's my mother folks, she cares more for the guests than me.

Walking back to the living room I see Shawn goofing around with my sibling on the black furry carpet which is a rare sight but heartwarming.

"Hey Sana." Javed says and pats the seat next to him on the brown couch.

Taking a seat I look at him with a smile. "What's up?" I question. "Do you guys want something to drink?" I inquire and everyone shakes their head.

Javed instead forwards his hand. "At least now we can be friends? Can't we?" He says with a innocent smile and I laugh.

Shawn halts in his movement and turns his head towards us. I remember the first time I had rejected Javeds offer of shaking hands. I had said something like never trust a terrorist or a ghost. "Of course, and I already consider you as a brother." I honestly tell him and shake his hand, Shawn seem to let go of a breath he was holding.

He turns back his attention to my siblings as if being satisfied with my answer, weirdo.

"And I couldn't ask for more, it is an honor to be your brother kiddo." Javed says ruffling my hair and I laugh.

Ibrahim and Sahara is busy conversing among themselves. While Saeed and Zaki is playing with Zakis mobile. No surprise as Zaki is the biggest gadget freak. Javed and I look at each other and smile. I let my gaze wander to Shawn and my siblings.

Sahara shares a joke about the fact that the only date a Muslim can have is a date, everyone expect Shawn chuckles.

Just sitting here and laughing feels so different, almost mesmerizing. Every event that occurred the past few days seem like a distant dream. To even think that we a few hours ago saved ourselves from being killed is surreal.

I have actually learned a lot through the journey. For example I need to stop judging people as there is usually more to everyone than what meets the eyes. I also need to trust Allah more, everything that occurs happens for a reason. Allhamdullilah, thank you God.

Observing the playful smiles and light talks surrounding me I can't help to feel at peace. This is the perfect end to our small journey and the beginning of a new I guess. I stare at Shawn tickling my siblings who are laying on the floor totally smitten by him and I smile at them. Shawn suddenly turn his head slightly and catches me staring at him. The man with the beautiful blue at the same time intense eyes offers me a soft smile which I automatically respond to with a smile of my own.