Everything was almost perfect. Tom hadn't realized just how much he'd missed Jessie and Kay until they both showed up and he remembered how much fun they were and how they made Kyle and Jimmy so much more fun. And even if he hadn't hoped for it, Kay actually had news about Angie. She'd left home. Which could only mean she was on her way back to them. Back to him.

That was enough to cheer him up and make him act up, trying his best to make them all laugh. It had been a hilarious evening. One that left him terribly hungry.

"Really?" Sam mumbled from the bottom bunk when Tom jumped to the floor. "You're actually hungry?"

"Hell yeah. All that entertaining left me starving."

"You're such a show off." Sam turned to face the wall and pulled the cover over his head.

Tom tiptoed out of their bedroom. Since the pantry was too small for the two of them, Sam had finally agreed to move to the first floor where his original room was. Tom didn't really care where he slept as long as he had a roof over his head. This was better than anything he'd ever had anyway. The only down side was that he actually had to go downstairs to get to the kitchen whereas the pantry had been next to it. Minor sacrifice. It so trumped bumping into Sam and furniture all the time.

He went down the stairs, trying to make sure he wouldn't wake up everyone, especially his parents. Even if Freider had seethed and raged against Kyle and Jimmy, he'd joined them for dinner and even participated in the conversation whenever Maxi shot him daggers across the table. The atmosphere in the house was pretty tense either way and Tom couldn't say he wasn't looking forward to the girls moving to their own place.

Kay, Jessie and Angie had discussed renting an apartment together and they already had a few places lined up. They just needed to go to some viewings and decide. And the thought that Angie was moving there lifted his spirits once again.

Tom finally made it into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He rummaged in the plastic containers and finally found some left over steak. This was the life! A couple of months ago he wouldn't have imagined that he would ever be able to enjoy left over steak. He took a bite out of it, keeping the refrigerator door open for light. It projected the shape of neatly placed casseroles on his t-shirt. Well, Sam's t-shirt. He really needed to get his ass in gear and go buy some clothes. He couldn't mooch off Sam forever and he dreaded the idea of letting his mom do the shopping for him.

Something crunched in the backyard. Tom frowned and turned towards the window behind him. It was eerily quiet. Then, the distant rumble of a car filled the silence and distant headlights illuminated their street. A dark silhouette appeared in front of the window. He stuffed the food back and pushed the refrigerator door closed. The car disappeared, leaving everything drown in darkness.

A gun. I need a gun. But their weapons were up in their rooms and he didn't even know if his father owned any firearms he could find on the ground floor. The knob on the back door turned slowly and a clicking sound filled the kitchen as whoever was on the other side was trying to pick the lock.

For a second, Tom considered dashing under the table. It seemed cowardly, but he'd be able to take the intruder by surprise. A second, more intelligent alternative came to him. He walked to the door, unlocked it from inside, and pulled it open.

Someone fell over his feet. He grabbed them by the shoulders and pulled them to their feet. Subtle citrusy perfume filled the air with the movement, and he froze. Because it was all of a sudden obvious who was trying to break into his house in the middle of the night.

Angie raised her head and blew her bangs out of her eyes. Another car passed by, illuminating her face for a few seconds. It was enough for Tom to see her sparkling green eyes, her tanned skin, the soft curve of her cheek. Enough for his brain to process what was going on, enough for his body to shut his brain down and take over.

His hands moved from her shoulders to her face and he pulled her into a kiss. It was like heaven. Her lips were soft and warm, just like he remembered them. When she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him back, the volcano erupted. There was only heat and the feeling of completion, because nothing in this world could feel as good as her. After all they'd been through, every kiss he and Angie shared was sacred, a confirmation that they could do this, that they were going to make it work, be happy.

Not breaking the kiss, he kicked the door closed and nudged her deeper inside the kitchen. When she bumped into the table, he lifted her and settled her on the table, his hands running up and down her back, giving in to the need to feel her, make sure she was there. Make sure everything was actually real and he could give in to the mad happiness bubbling inside him.

"Tom," she mumbled against his mouth.

He only hummed and continued kissing her because it felt way too good.

"Tom." She broke off, giggling. "You're going a bit overboard."

"Huh?" He shook his head, trying to focus on her words rather than her presence.

Angie took his wrists and pushed his hands off her chest. "I don't think this is the time or place to go further with this."

"Oh. Right." Heat shot to his cheeks and he appreciated the darkness. No wonder he was getting so high. He clasped his hands behind his back to make sure they wouldn't start roaming again. It was hard when he wanted to touch her so badly.

Angie's smile softened and she caressed his face, lingering on the scar above his right eyebrow. His visible reminder of the lovely torture sessions he'd unwillingly participated in just a few weeks ago.

"I love it that you don't wear sunglasses anymore," she said, running her thumbs over his eyebrows.

"I do. But only in front of strangers."

"It's good to know I'm finally included in your circle of trust."

Had it not been for a stupid misunderstanding, she would have been in that circle a long time ago. He still seethed at all the time they've lost, at all the bad blood between them just because they were both too proud and stupid to realize that they were just falling prey to stupid high school rumors. The memory of it had him wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly. They were past that. Above that. Finally together because she was back...

He pulled back, grasped her shoulders and looked at her. "Wait, why were you breaking into my house in the middle of the night?"

Angie looked away, nibbling on her lower lip as if she'd hoped that little detail wouldn't come up. "I wanted to see you."

"Why didn't you call me? Have me pick you up from the airport. Or at least come down and unlock the door for you." As much as he liked the idea of nibbling on her lip, this was way too strange and he got a terrible feeling about it.

"I couldn't call you. I wasn't even supposed to see you because..." She took in a deep breath. "I'm not officially back. I'm supposed to be leaving on a mission later tonight."

Crickets chirped inside Tom's head. "What?"

"Another mission. And for some unknown reason, I wasn't supposed to tell you, but I'm not making the same mistake twice. That's why I didn't call. It's not safe. But I wanted to tell you so..." She shrugged.

He blinked and focused on her again. "Why are they sending you on a mission without us again? More spying?"

"More like retrieving. I can't tell you more. And I don't know why you guys aren't on it. It's stupid."

"Why can't you tell me more?" This was getting increasingly frustrating. "I want to come with you."

"I can't because I've already disobeyed a direct order and I think there should be a balance. I just didn't want you to think I've disappeared again because I promise not to do that anymore. And you can't come with me because you weren't contacted."

That was so stupid he wanted to scream. "What the hell is wrong with this stupid Agency? Why are they dividing us? Hiding things from us?"

Angie sighed and rubbed her temples. "I don't know. I think it's stupid too and I think this is something Sam and Herrison should have out. So far, I'm depending on this job to stay afloat and have the future I want. So I can only stretch the limits so far."

He totally got her fear, her hesitation to break the rules. Because the Agency was what made sure she could move to Chicago, be with the rest of them, afford to go to college and build a future. But none of that mattered if she went on a mission alone and died.

"I can't let you go."

"You don't have a choice." She pushed him aside and hopped off the table. "You have to understand something, Tom. I'm an agent. Just like you. This is my job."

Tom gritted his teeth as she headed for the door. "This sucks. I hate this."

She turned to him, her hand on the knob. "I know. I would hate it too if it were the other way around. But I wouldn't stop you. I would trust you. Just like I trusted that you wouldn't stupidly kill yourself by shooting a boiler, but I was wrong on that account."

"Hey, it worked. I'm alive and we got away."

"I know." She smiled. "You're crazy and I have to learn to live with it. Just like you have to trust me and learn to live with this."

The petulant child in him wanted to stomp his foot and throw a hissy fit, but she was right. He'd only make things harder for her, not change the agency's mind. But he had a conversation with Herrison pending. Sam nothing. He was laying into their coordinator himself because this was the second time they were using Angie alone.

But for now, all he could do was nod, hug Angie, kiss her again like it was the last time and watch her disappearing into the darkness.

⭐⭐⭐

Jessie knew that maybe this was weird and inappropriate, but she needed it. She needed to talk to Kyle alone. To her best friend. It wasn't weird, right? Just like standing in front of his door in the middle of the night wasn't weird at all either.

With a deep breath, she raised her fist and knocked. No answer. She knocked again, a little louder. Still no answer. She should go. She should totally go. But instead, she opened the door and peeked inside. The bed was empty, and as she stepped inside, she noticed that so was the room. The only light was coming from a distant streetlight.

It was weirdly clean for a guy's room. The bed was still neatly made, all the books in the library case above it arranged, an acoustic and electric guitar sat in the corner, and there was no sign of clothes on the floor. Only the desk showed signs that someone actually lived there. Jessie approached it and took in the scattered papers. Equations, algorithms, sheet music, and diagrams of fighting techniques placed randomly over books and Kyle's closed laptop, showing most of who he was.

She smiled fondly. Kyle was like a walking paradox of badass and sensitivity and that's what she liked most about him. He was rough, but knew how to comfort someone. She'd never forget he was there for her when she thought Jimmy was dying. And it was one of the reasons she wanted to talk to him alone. Because she'd missed him almost as much as she'd missed Jimmy. And she needed to know that their bond was still there, that she wasn't crazy and she hadn't lost grip on reality while away.

Only the room was empty... Her eyes drifted towards the mirror placed above the desk. Even with the weak light, she noticed photographs taped to it: a newspaper clipping showing a picture of all of them –the five couples and Billy, and two others. One of Kyle, Kay and another couple she didn't know, wearing cowboy hats and grinning from what looked like a barn, and the other, a photo reel of three photos of Kyle and Kay.

The first one was just the two of them grinning at the camera, his arm around her neck, obviously posing. In the second, they'd turned to each other and their smiles were so different. So warm and tender. The third was Kay leaning against him, the blissful smile still on her face while Kyle kissed her forehead. Jessie smiled, her chest warming up with love for both of them.

A thump on the roof brought her attention back to her surroundings. Frowning, Jessie headed for the open window and looked outside. The branches of the oak tree swished in the wind, scraping the portion of tiles in front of the window, but that wasn't what she'd heard. As she focused, she could hear voices. So she climbed out the window and looked up.

Higher on the roof, she could see Kyle and Kay. He sat with his back against the chimney, his forearms rested on his knees, while Kay was on her feet, her arms crossed over her chest.

"It bothers you," Kyle said quietly.

"Of course it bothers me," Kay said, lowering her arms and clenching her fists. She turned away from him and took a few steps, but almost immediately turned back. "Don't get me wrong, I understand. I don't blame you at all. You did the right thing."

"But it still hurts," he continued.

Kay bit her lower lip and nodded, her eyes glazing over with tears. Jessie knew she should get out of there and give them privacy, but she was a little curious what they were talking about.

"I have no right to get like this," Kay mumbled and walked back to him. "Not after what I've done. After what I've said to you."

Kyle frowned and tilted his head. "What are you talking about?"

"Lying about getting back with Danny. Not letting you explain properly." What she said next was so low that Jessie couldn't hear, but it made Kyle laugh.

"Really? I wasn't going to throw myself out the window. That was Jimmy being stupid."

"But he was right about one thing," Kay insisted. "It is always you doing the sacrificing. Never me."

"Aw, come on, sweetheart. I don't care about that. I'm not keeping score."

Kay smirked and settled herself in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, whispering something to him, and Jessie took that as her cue to get out of there. So she turned around, slipped on the roof, and almost went tumbling to her death. She managed to grab on to the gutter and stop herself before breaking her back against the nearest oak branch.

Kyle and Kay both turned to her with wide eyes. Jessie pulled herself back up and waved awkwardly.

"Hi, guys."

Kyle grinned, but Kay only frowned in confusion. Which was pretty bad. But it took her a whole five seconds to start laughing.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming. Did Jerry send you over?"

"No. I just wanted to talk to Kyle."

"Oh." Kay seemed surprised, but not upset which was a relief. "Okay then. I'll go to bed." She stood and leaned over Kyle, her golden hair hiding them from view. He grabbed her hips when she pulled back, his eyes narrowed and a smirk on his face. Kay looked very pleased with herself too as she pulled out of his grip and carefully made her way towards Jessie.

"You guys okay?" Jessie muttered once Kay reached her.

"Of course we are," Kay answered with a smile.

"You okay with this?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" And Kay gracefully made her exit through Kyle's open window.

Jessie watched her leaving the room, the knot in her stomach loosening. She'd been a little afraid that Kay wouldn't like the idea of Jessie wanting to talk to Kyle alone, and her reaction was a relief.

"What's up?" Kyle asked and Jessie turned to him to see his head tilted in curiosity.

Okay, now she was a little afraid Kyle would find her weird. "I wanted to talk. Because I missed you a lot and with all the madness downstairs, we didn't even get to say a word to each other."

Kyle smiled shrewdly. "I'm telling Jimmy you called him madness."

Jessie laughed and made her way up the roof to sit next to him. She glanced at the quiet street below, at the houses and the trees. "This is nice. I get it why you like to come here."

"You always get me, Jessie." He grinned when she turned to him, pleasantly surprised. "Don't get all awkward on me. It's okay. I missed you a lot, too. And not just because Jimmy is unbearably boring without you."

She nudged her shoulder against his and was pleased and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a side hug. "It's been so long, I was just afraid I'd actually imagined most of the stuff that made me happy."

"But you're back now. And you're not going anywhere."

"Exactly."

"Awesome." Kyle let her go and looked out into the street. "You know, I never thought I'd be happy in this place. But with Kay here, with Jimmy and Tom and you... it's starting to feel like home."

"I've been here for a few hours and it's starting to feel like home to me," Jessie pointed out.

"Because you're just like me." He turned to her. "We find our home in the people we love, not places."

She nodded. "Not places. Never places."

"You and Jimmy are okay, right?"

She nodded again, trying not to start crying like an idiot as she remembered the wonderful words he'd said about her. That she was part of him. She hated how stupid and easy to fool she'd been. "I wanted to ask you about this Ron guy who claims he's your uncle."

"He really is our uncle."

"Yeah, how come? And what really happened on the last mission? Because Jimmy just briefed me on it and I have the feeling he left the best parts out. Including how Tom got that scar above his eye."

Kyle grimaced, but leaned against the chimney again. "Yeah... there is a lot more to the story. I hope you're in a comfortable position, because this is going to take a while."

Jessie settled next to him and listened, grateful that her imagination hadn't gone crazy and Kyle was still every bit the best friend she remembered. The brother she'd always wanted and never had.

🌟🌟🌟

A wild mission presents itself. As does Angie before she vanishes into the night. Thoughts on her little visit? Where do you think she's going and what does she have to steal? Will she succeed?

Also, yay, Jessie pov. I bet you missed that. What do you think about her relationship with Kyle?

The next chapter shall be filled with unexpected drama! I hope you're all ready.

Question on the pacing. Do you think it's too slow or are you enjoying the ride?

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote and COMMENT!