Evey was tossing and turning in an attempt to fall asleep. Every time she closed her eyes, she would see her family's dead bodies lying in a pool of blood. The sound of Lila's screaming, especially when she called out Evey's name, never left her alone. She was stuck in the terrible ten minutes that the soldiers were in their home.

She let out a deep breath as she flopped on her back. She heard Ford leave to be on watch and had not heard him come back inside. He had been sleeping on the couch because the third bedroom in the house had been converted into an office.

Evey needed to get her mind off her haunting memories. The twins and the other civilians were all asleep. It was the middle of the night and they were all exhausted from walking all day.

She pulled the blankets back and sat. There was one person that was awake. Despite Ford never saying much, it was better than lying in silence.

Evey dragged her fingers along the wall as she walked down the pitch-black hallway. The stairs creaked under her feet. She did not bother to try and find her shoes before going outside.

Ford was sitting on the wooden bench on the porch. His gun was resting against the bench by his feet. Evey did not think to bring out her knife or gun. She was still not used to carrying weapons.

Ford raised a brow when he looked at her.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

"I was expecting you to tell me to go back inside," she said.

Ford shrugged. "You never listen."

Evey leaned against the railing. Ford had set a large flashlight on the ground and had it pointing up to provide a faint glow. It cast shadows across his face.

"Want me to be on watch for a shift?" Evey asked.

"Never," Ford said.

"But you taught me how to shoot."

"You're not a soldier."

Evey let out a huff of breath. She knew he was right. Could she take on a pack of Infected alone and survive?

"I feel bad you guys never get to sleep," she said.

"You don't sleep," he said.

"True, but that is not by choice."

"Why do you barely sleep?"

Evey hesitated. Did she tell him the truth? Ford knew she was still mourning Lila, but she did not want to look weak.

"I'm an insomniac," she said.

"False," Ford said. "It's because of your family."

Evey broke eye contact. There was a moment of silence before the bench creaked. Evey watched as Ford's feet moved while he walked forward. She gasped when he put his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. She was shocked by his delicate touch.

She could not appreciate how blue Ford's eyes were, like she usually did, because of the darkness. There was a somber look on his face. His brows furrowed as he tried to think of something to say.

"I can't apologize enough," he said.

Evey's eyes widened. Her lips parted, but Ford spoke before she could say anything.

"I wish we met in another world," he said. "One where the world was not falling apart."

"It'll go back to normal," Evey said. "That's why we're going to Toronto."

"It's not enough."

"Why?"

"I'll always be the one who killed your family."

Ford's fingers still lingered on Evey's chin. She grabbed his wrist. He sensed that she was going to pull him off her so he stepped forward. Evey's chest tightened and she struggled to breathe. His warm breath fanned across her face.

"I told you I don't hate you," Evey whispered.

"I would hate me," Ford said. "You are too good for the world. Especially this one."

Evey let out a shaky breath. His eyes fell to her lips. His other hand went to her hip. She jumped at the contact. Ford dragged his fingers under her chin, along her jaw, and cupped the side of her face. Evey thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest.

He tightened his arm around her waist and closed the distance between them. He pressed his lips against Evey's. She melted into his hold as she deepened the kiss. Ford started gentle but grew more dominant with each kiss. She grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and clenched her thighs when he swiped his tongue along her bottom lip. Evey parted her lips and let out a soft moan. Ford's fingers curled tighter into her waist. Evey tried to pull away, but Ford pulled her in for another kiss. Evey did not protest as he held her even closer.

They were breathing heavily and Ford rested his forehead against Evey's. She closed her eyes and tried to calm down her pounding heart. She let go of Ford's shirt. Her knuckles were aching from her tight grip.

"Wow," Ford said under his breath.

Evey let out a nervous giggle as she stepped back. Ford reached out for her, but a light flashed across the street. He groaned and closed his eyes.

"What's that?" Evey asked.

"Gomez," he said. "Go inside."

"Do you think he saw us?"

"Inside."

The light flashed three more times across the street. Ford pointed at the front door. Evey chewed on her lip as she nodded and headed back inside.

--

Fuck, fuck, fuck, was all that Ford could think.

He should have looked at his watch before getting close to Evey. He knew that his shift was ending, but Gomez was notorious for being late. What were the chances that he would come on time? How much did he witness?

Ford grabbed his flashlight and rushed across the road. Gomez was sitting on one of the wicker chairs on the front porch of his house. He had his gun on his lap and was smirking.

"How can I help you, Romeo?" he asked.

"What did you see?" Ford asked.

"I definitely witness you sticking your tongue down Everett's throat."

Ford scowled and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Is she a good fuck?" Gomez asked. "Are you going to share?"

"Don't make me knock your fucking teeth out," Ford said.

"Oh, come on. She can provide us with some stress relief."

Ford gritted his teeth. The image of Gomez forcing himself on Everett filled his mind. He was shaking as he fought the urge to kill Gomez. The only thing stopping him was the fact that Gomez had a gun and he had stupidly forgotten his weapon. He had been such a frazzled mess when rushing to see what Gomez had witnessed.

"Don't touch her," Ford said.

"Why?" Gomez raised a brow. "Are you in love with her? It's not like you can get married and have a family. The American dream is dead."

"We're Canadian."

Gomez waved his hand to dismiss Ford.

"Doesn't matter," Gomez said. "Should I tell Johnson you're fucking one of the civilians or should you tell him?"

Ford was not afraid of Johnson. He had already been teased by Johnson for liking Everett. He could not imagine what the others would say.

"Go ahead," Ford said.

He stormed off the porch and rushed over to his house. He kicked his boots off before navigating himself through the dark house to the stairs.

Where did he stand with Everett? He must not need to sleep on that hard leather sofa anymore.

Ford nudged the bedroom door open with his foot. Evey was lying on the side of the bed. She did not turn to face him. Was she actually sleeping for once?
Ford laid down on the bed and slid his arm around her waist. She sighed and rolled over. Their legs were intertwined and she nuzzled her face into his chest. A smile crept on his lips. It had been quite some time since Ford had felt this content.

"Did Gomez see us?" Evey asked.

"No," he lied. "Now, go to sleep."