Angie had never been a fan of mornings, but morning-afters were the worst. The moment she opened her eyes, she realized she'd passed out in Tom's bed and now all she had was a sore body and the hangover from hell.

With a groan, she sat up and rubbed her eyes. The little light coming through the thick curtains let her know it was maybe early in the morning, and a glance at her discarded watch confirmed that it was only seven.

And yet, the bed was empty.

With a knot in her stomach, she glanced around. Tom couldn't have just left, but nothing was certain when her memory drew a giant blank. She couldn't even remember falling asleep. Just him, always him until she just blacked out from exhaustion.

As her senses slowly returned, she took in the clothes on the floor. His clothes, the one she'd peeled off one by one. He hadn't left her. And once the thought calmed her down, she realized she could hear the shower running in the bathroom. The sound triggered something primal within her, a fear that she'd messed up, that it was too late. That she had to get out of there while she still could.

A sweep of the floor revealed her lingerie, so she quickly put it on and focused on her dress. It was by the door, where he'd left it. Even if she hated having to put it on over a clammy un-washed body, she couldn't go out into the hallway in her underwear.

Come on, one strap at a time. Doing up the zipper was insanely hard with her body so uncoordinated. Finally, after what felt like forever, she managed to do it all the way up and focused on finding her high heels.

That was a little harder than the dress, especially since she distinctively remembered wearing them to bed. They'd somehow wound up next to the bathroom door.

On the tip of her toes, Angie retrieved them and continued her stealth walk towards the door. She could put them on after she got out.

"What do you think you're doing?"

She jumped out of her skin and twisted around, her heart beating so wildly it screwed up all her senses.

Tom stood in the doorway to the bathroom wearing nothing but a pair of jeans, his hair wet, a towel in his hand. God, why did he have to look so amazing?

"I was just..." she stuttered, but had no idea where to go with it.

His gaze darkened, and for a moment he looked alarming. A shiver ran down her spine and she wasn't sure if she was terrified or turned on.

"So this is it, huh? You were going to slip out again." He didn't sound angry, but disgusted.  "Funny. I didn't take you to be a coward."

She straightened, lifting her chin. "I'm not a coward. It just got a bit more complicated--"

"More complicated?" He tossed the towel to the side. "You kissed me and then started taking your clothes off. What exactly did you expect to happened that would have been less complicated?"

He had her. She had no idea what to say. The door was just two feet away, and yet it could've been on the moon for all the good that did.

"I'm curious." He took a few steps towards her, but stopped far enough so that she couldn't reach out and touch him. "Did you think it was a good idea to have a one night stand?"

She shook her head, because now, in the daylight, without the drinks, the music and the threat of Lucy, it was inexplicabile. 

He came closer, stopping a mere inch from her. "Thought you'd take your ex for one last ride?"

"No, that's not it."

"Am I even your ex, Angie?"

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"Seriously. You never broke up with me. I took back mine. So what was this really? What are we?"

She shook her head again, despair growing inside her like a poisonous fungus. He stepped closer and she backed away until her back hit the door. Tom leaned over her, trapping her between his arms.

"Say it," he said between his teeth.

"Say what?" Her voice came out in tatters, barely intelligible.

"That you're leaving again. Do you even know how to say goodbye?"

"Maybe this was a goodbye?"

He huffed, but his lips lifted in a smile. "I took a chance on you. Do you think I didn't know where this will lead? I know you Angie. I was sure you'd do this again. But I also know that you'll come back running, your heart battered and bruised, seeking comfort in a life that fit you, made you happy."

Her back pressed harder against the door and she wished she'd just get swallowed by the wood.

"And when you do come back, you'll want me to hold you, love your fears away. The thing is..." He hesitated a second as if trying to determine the best wording. "I don't mind. I don't care. For now. But one day, I might not want to be your safety net anymore."

"It's not that!" She straightened, clenching her fists.

"It's not?" The surprise he displayed was obviously feigned. "Oh, no, Angie. Face it. It's all the same. Always the same. Run, come back, stay a while, get healed, run again."

"No."

"But I take you for who you are and do it all over again."

He'd come so close, his body heat enveloped her and all words got stuck in her throat. The truth was she couldn't think of anything to combat what he'd said. It sounded like her. She did run, except it was always with purpose. She needed it to heal. Only that this time, after four months, it wasn't working.

"Yes, I run," she whispered. "But did you ever wonder why?"

"Every minute of every day, Angie." His breath brushed her cheek. "I don't understand it. I just assume you need it and want what's best for you."

She raised her face to look him in the eyes. "Did you ever think that maybe I need someone chasing me? Because every time I run, I can. And if I come back, fine. If not, everyone just gives me space."

Her words had him pulling back a little in surprise. "I did my best to stop you from running in the first place."

"That takes more than sex."

"Sex?" He leaned over her until their chests touched. "I poured my heart out to you, promised to be there for you. The sex was all you, Angie. Not once did I initiate or pushed you into it because it wouldn't have been fair. It was never a solution for me."

She knew he was right, but right then she didn't care. All she wanted was... She shut her eyes, a part of her hoping he'd back off and then she could go and cry her eyes out. The other part of her never wanted him to let her go.

"Go ahead," he whispered. "Tell me you used me, that this meant nothing, and leave. You're so good at that."

Yes, she was, but once she opened her eyes and looked at him, she couldn't. Because even if she'd never planned to stick around, even if she'd really used him to fill her empty heart, it could never mean nothing between them.

So instead of doing the right thing, she put her hands on his cheeks and pulled him into a kiss. He kissed her back immediately, put his hands on her thighs and hoisted her off the floor. In seconds, her back hit the mattress again and her legs wrapped around his waist.

He'd been right. She couldn't leave. Not while he was awake, facing her. Not when there were still a few more moments, hours, days in which they could be together like this.

Maybe sex wasn't a solution for him, but it was enough for her at the moment.

🎊

A knock on the door startled Jessie out of her sleep. It took her precisely five seconds to come to her senses and realize something was wrong. It was too early in the morning for visits, especially after a wedding party that had lasted well into the night. It was seven thirty.

Next to her on the bed, Jimmy was still asleep, one arm draped around her. Her face broke into a small smile. As the wedding progressed, she'd noticed how he'd become more relaxed, a little more aware. Every trace of roughness, of malice had faded the moment he'd seen Skye in her wedding dress, as if he could tell how important it was. And all throughout the party, he'd been calm, smiling, watching everyone around him with curious eyes, even if he didn't ask questions.

When they'd finally returned to their room for the night, he'd let her take his suit off without a peep of protest, had gotten into bed next to her. And as she was seconds away from drifting off, he'd scooted closer to her and wrapped and arm around her and whispered a simple good night.

All of this was achieved without any drugs involved. The syringe and the phials were still there, on the desk, only to be used in case of emergency.

As whoever was on the other side of the door insisted, Jessie wondered if she would need to use the syringe on them.

Careful not to wake Jimmy up, she got out of bed and headed for the door. The moment she opened, her blood froze in her veins. She didn't know the two suit-clad men in front of her, but she could tell by their pins and the stiff attitude that they were Agency.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice low.

"Good morning, agent," one of the men said, pushing past her and inside the room. "We just stopped by to make sure everything was fine."

"Coming into someone's room without being invited in is extremely rude," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Especially so early in the morning."

The men ignored her and glanced around the room, as if the mess of wedding clothes held some hidden meaning.

"As you can see, everything is fine," she added. "We'll be on our way back to the facility later this evening."

The two continued to pretend she wasn't there as they walked around. One of them suddenly stiffened next to the desk and called the other man over. Jessie lowered her arms, aware they'd noticed the syringe and the unused tranquilizers.

"What have you done, you silly girl?" the man who spotted the syringe first whispered.

"He didn't need-- Wait, what are you doing?" 

In a flash, the burlier of the two headed for her and grabbed her arms. His companion filled the syringe with one of the tranquilizer vials. Jessie elbowed her captor in the stomach, but before she could free herself completely, the other man charged at the bed and drove the syringe in Jimmy's arm.

His eyes shot open and zeroed in on his attacker. Then with impressive speed for someone who was sleeping seconds earlier, he drew his elbow back and punched the man in the face. He slid off the bed, groaning.

Jimmy sat up, his pupils dilated, his muscles tensing. The man holding Jessie finally let her go and took out his gun, pointing it at Jimmy.

"What the hell are you doing?" she shrieked.

"He's dangerous!"

No, he wasn't. The drugs were taking hold of him and he looked hazy now, confused.

"No he's not! Of course he punched that guy. He stung him in his sleep!"

Her words fell on deaf ears as the two agents regrouped in the middle of the room, guns out and pointing at Jimmy. She wished she could do something, but was very aware that any action against the Agency would cut her visiting time drastically. Even if she hated them with every fiber of her being, now was not to time to show her intentions or her allegiance. Not when they had the power to shoot her and take Jimmy away.

The drugs did the trick and Jimmy fell back on the bed, harmless. Defeated. Jessie's eyes filled with tears. This shouldn't be happening.

"You reckless girl!" One of the agents turned to her, his eyes blazing. "Do you have any idea what could've happened?"

"Nothing happened," she said between her teeth. "He was fine without the drugs."

"You clearly cannot be trusted with him," the other guy said, typing something on his phone. "We're taking him back."

"No, wait."

The two men watched her skeptically, and at that point Jessie realized they really thought she was an irresponsible little girl, unfit to make medical decisions for anyone. She could ruin this baseless opinion, but she didn't have the strength for it.

"If you pack fast enough, you can go with him," one of the men said, his voice filled with pity.

"Okay," she said, "but please wait outside."

The two men looked at each other, but seemed to decide that she couldn't screw anything else up because they nodded and let themselves out.

And once the door closed behind them, Jessie could let the tears pour down her cheeks. She'd never felt more trapped.

🎊

Sam couldn't believe it was over. He also couldn't believe he was happy about it and eagerly awaiting to start his new life with Skye. She simply glowed in the sunlight, her hair still curled and beautiful, her face fresh and happy.

She raised her chin to catch the rays of the sun, coffee cup held between her hands. Her idea to come to the open restaurant on the third floor of the hotel for lunch had been amazing. Anything and anywhere with her was amazing.

"What?" she asked, her eyes still closed.

"I'm just continuously stunned by how beautiful you are."

Her smile broadened. "So are you. And honestly, now that the wedding is over, I can't wait to get home."

"Tell me about it. We have an entire house to decorate."

She opened her eyes, the twinkle in them filling his heart. "True. I still can't believe all this." She put her coffee cup down and took his hand. "We're married, have a house in the suburbs and a baby on the way... A year ago, I didn't even know you."

"Must've been a sad year."

She laughed. "True. Life was boring without you."

"I promise you'll never get bored again."

She leaned back in her chair. "And I believe you. God, the wedding was wonderful."

"Yeah, it was." She'd been so lively, so happy, so beautiful, and nothing else mattered. "So was the wedding night."

She laughed. "No denying that. You really are an over-achiever."

"That I am." He opened his mouth to tell her she was the perfect kind of motivation for him, but froze once Tom stepped out on the terrace, stretching and looking distinctively rumpled. Sam's stomach sank, wondering if Lucy had something to do with it.

"Hi, newlyweds. Can I join you?" He dropped on a chair at their table without waiting for approval.

"When have we said no to you?" Skye asked.

"What's up?" Sam asked. Even through his happy haze, he could tell something was rubbing his twin the wrong way. "You look a little roughed up."

"I am. Lots of sex can do that."

Sam sucked air through his teeth and Skye straightened in her seat, looking a little wary as well.

"Lucy wore you out?" she finally asked.

"Oh, no." Tom lounged back, crossing his hands behind his head. "Lucy is a functional, decent human being. I'm not into that. I love the messed up ones. The ones who run away."

"Holy shit, did you sleep with Angie?" Sam blurted out before he could consider how appropriate his words were.

Tom pondered on the answer. "Very little actual sleep was involved," he finally said.

"We don't need details, Tom," Skye said. "But what happened? You and Lucy seemed to be hitting it off."

"We did. I like her. But I'm not over my horrible ex, apparently. Or not ex. She still didn't break up with me." Tom stifled a yawn. "Anyway, I spoke to Lucy and apologized and we're good."

Yes, Lucy issue over. But what about Angie? "Tom, where is Angie?"

His twin shrugged, the same careless expression on his face. "No clue. She ran off again. Predictably enough."

"So she just... Bedded you and ran," Skye said as if, for some insane reason, she couldn't believe Angie would do that again.

Sam did, and his resent towards Angie grew. It was one thing to do it once. It could be considered an accident. Then it was her just showing up to his wedding without letting anyone know, which he could also overlook because he was glad she'd been there.

But screwing with Tom's head again? Loving and leaving? Yeah, that was too much.

"Oh no," Tom smiled, but there was something unsettling in it. "She tried to, but this time I was smarter, so I woke up before her and caught her trying to sneak out. Point at which we went for round two." He started counting on his fingers. "Actually, it wasn't round two, maybe game two with another..."

"Okay, we get it," Sam said, raising his hands. "She still left."

"Yep. I eventually did succumb to exhaustion, and I think she was too afraid to drift off. She checked out an hour ago."

"How do you feel about it?" Skye asked warily.

"That's actually why I came looking for you." Tom turned to Skye with a thoughtful air. "She said something that I think is relevant. She said she keeps running, but no one is chasing her. Do you think that might be the root of it? That I never went after her?"

Skye hummed, back in psychiatrist mode. "It could be. Even if she's aware it might not be possible, she could feel lost because no one tries to bring her home. And by running, she might be trying to prove to herself that she can handle it."

"So me going after her could be a good thing."

She sighed. "I'm not sure, Tom. Between respecting her choices and stalking her, I'd go with the first. I don't think you owe her anything anymore."

"That's not true," he interjected.

"But," Skye said, "if she mentioned it, maybe that's what she truly wants. Someone to prove to her that she's worth the chase."

"Great, because I planted a tracker on her," Tom said with a shrug.

"You did what?" Sam asked.

"I'm a control freak, remember?" his twin said with a laugh. "If she wants a chase, I'll give her one. Then maybe she won't feel the need to keep running." He checked his watch, looking too serene about the whole affair. "I'm just giving her a head start."

"Need more pills?" Skye asked.

"Nope. I have purpose now. Just wanted to thank you guys. For the advice and for listening."

"Tom, I don't think you should do this." Sam shifted in his seat. "You have a life. College, a career. A family that loves you."

"I know, Sam," Tom said with a bitter smile. "But I'm doing this for myself as well. Because if this doesn't work, I think I'll have all the reasons in the world to finally let go."

His words hurt Sam on some level, even if he was aware of their truth. As far as he was concerned, Angie was worth the chase. But if even that wouldn't help her decide what she wanted from his twin, then maybe it really was better to go their separate ways.

"So, I wish you guys all the happiness in the world." He stood and winked at them. "And let me know as soon as you have news about the little one."

"Will do." Sam stood, too, and caught Tom in a hug. "Be careful out there."

"You know I won't be," he mumbled. "You two be happy now. You've more than earned it."

Sam pulled away. "So have you."

"No, not yet. But my time will come." He leaned over and kissed Skye on the cheek, then with a lazy wave of his hand, made his way back inside the hotel.

"I hope he's right," Skye said, standing too, and coming over to wrap her arms around Sam. "He really does deserve things going right for a change."

"Everyone does," Sam said with a sigh. "But you've taught me it's okay to be happy."

"Yes," she said with a smile. "And now that we're married, I'm going to make sure of that for as long as I live."

Sam hugged her tightly. It was true, and he believed her. And Tom was also right. Things would eventually get better for everyone. For him, for Angie, for Jessie and Jimmy.

They just had to wait and make the best out of what they had. Eventually, everything would turn around, just like it had for him.

All they had to do was believe.