Sam was exhausted. An early flight combined with him completely forgetting that he had to pack his crap had led to very little sleep that night. And now that they were at the airport, their plane was late. Hours late. The plastic chair held no comfort. Sleep was a commodity he no longer had.

The others weren't doing much better. After much complaining and mumbling, Jerry had finally bought a book and settled on reading for the rest of their wait. The couples were exhausted. Kay sat in Kyle's lap again, her head on his shoulder, and seemed fast asleep. Jessie sat on a chair opposite to them, while Jimmy lay on four chairs, his head in her lap. His eyes were closed and Jessie massaged his forehead.

As he watched them, a tight knot formed in Sam's chest. Jealousy reared its ugly head because he wanted what they had. He wanted the comfort, the security, the love. He and Christine had never been like that, not even when he thought they had it best. And it couldn't be an age thing, because Jessie was his age. Christine's age.

Okay, maybe Kyle and Kay were older, but... Sam narrowed his eyes at them. Kay opened one eye and peeked at Kyle. He sensed it immediately and bent over to whisper something in her ear to which she blushed then giggled. Kyle grinned too as he rested his forehead against hers. And at that moment Sam could tell something had changed.

He'd always been able to tell from the way his brother looked at Kay that he was head over heels for her, but now it was more. It wasn't just love, it was beyond that. Like she was food and he was starving, like she was water and he was dying of thirst. And if Sam wasn't sure that Kyle wasn't as stupid as to get it on in public in a campus full of kids, he would've dismissed his claim that nothing had happened the previous night. It was too obvious that it had. But what?

"Please tell them to stop looking at each other like that," Jerry mumbled next to Sam.

"Seriously Jerry, they're not doing anything."

"They're making me uncomfortable."

Sam squinted at him. This was new. "Are you sure uncomfortable is the word?"

Jerry raised his book so the others couldn't see his face and turned to Sam. "No, it's not, but they're making me miss Tina and I just want to throw my book at them out of spite because I can't have that, too."

Sam pursed his lips, trying his best to keep the laughter in. "So it's envy more than anything."

"Shut up. You're obviously in the same boat."

"At least I'm not denying it."

Jerry nudged his shoulder and Sam actually laughed. This was such a fun spat and he never imagined he'd be having it with Jerry.

"Whoa, what did you do?" Jessie asked, half-laughing. "Jerry actually hit you."

"Nah, we're okay," Sam answered. "He was just trying to show me that all the training is paying off. Spoilers, it's not."

Jerry pushed him harder, and Sam actually slipped from his chair onto the floor. And it only made him laugh more. The numbness was going away and it gave him hope that he would recover, be happy again, even if for mere moments. It was better than the darkness. It was better than nothing.

So once they boarded the plane and settled into their seats, Sam could actually look forward to their new adventure. It wasn't going to be easy or comfortable, but they were going to pull through as usual. And then... well, he didn't want to think about that yet. He wasn't ready to face their parents or explain how and why Tom was gone, but all in due time.

The flight to Rome was short and boring, so once inside the airport, Sam couldn't wait to meet their contact and get out of there. They were supposed to connect with their flight to Delhi right away so if he could only find the guy already...

A pair of slender arms wrapped around his torso and hugged him from behind.

"Sam! Oh, I missed you so much."

What the hell? "Christine?" He turned around.

Yup, there was Christine, a big happy grin on her face. A few feet behind stood Tina, a huge book wrapped in her arms. The others froze too, staring at the sisters as though they were a pair of squids too far from water.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked.

"I came to give you this." She turned to Tina and yanked the book out of her arms. With an adorable smile, she reached it out to him.

Sam took it, watching her wearily. So she and Tina were their contacts? This was weird. "Thanks."

"I've marked the page with your jewel," she said casually.

"You what?" Okay, this was beyond shocking. Since when did Christine do research for their missions? Though if he were completely honest, he didn't mind. It meant she was more involved in the agency while staying safe. It was the ideal scenario.

"The information you sent Herrison. You said the jewel was a yellow diamond. I've been looking through the book and found a yellow jewel. It's called Shiva's Golden Earring, but it's supposed to be a myth at this point." She huffed. "Not like you ever have it easy with these stupid stones."

Sam felt like hugging her. Because she was talking and acting like when they'd first met, because she wasn't nagging him, crowding him, begging him to get back together. Because for the first time in what seemed like forever, he felt like they were on the same side, the same page. She looked so much closer to the way he liked her best: no high heels, no makeup. Just converse and a fresh, gorgeous face, looking honest and natural.

And as she looked up at him, a small smile on her lips, he could see it: the longing, the adoration. He'd missed her so much, not touching her physically hurt. Her amber eyes were like pools of sunlight, her chocolate hair caught up in a simple pony tail. No mask, no pretense. Just him and her. A boy and a girl who loved each other. Or used to. At least he wanted to believe that she'd loved him.

"I'm so sorry," she finally whispered. "For nagging you, for trying to change you. But with all the pressure and the press, I forgot that you're perfect just the way you are." She stepped closer to him, but didn't touch him. "I love you, Sam."

I love you, too. Because in that moment he was more certain than ever. But she loved her. This Christine. Not the one he'd left behind. Not the one he'd broken up with over the phone.

"I'm sorry, too," he finally said.

Her smile was still there, her eyes filled with hope and love. "I want you to take all the time you need. Just know that, for whatever you may need, I'll be here."

He gave in and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"Um, guys?" Jessie said tentatively.

Christine immediately pulled away, her arms still around Sam's neck, and glanced over his shoulder. "Hi guys. Sorry I didn't see you there. Had technical difficulties."

Sam grinned to himself, fighting to keep quiet, not blurt out some stupid stuff, because even if he wanted to, getting back together with her right now was a bad idea. He still needed to process this and especially show her that when he made a decision, he meant it.

"Hi, Christine, Tina," Kay said. "What do you have for us?"

Sam showed them the book still in his hand, but Christine pulled away from him and took some folders out of her purse. She then walked over to the others and handed one of the folders to Kay.

"This is for you. And this..." She weighed the other folder. "Um... new IDs and stuff."

"I'll keep hold of those," Jessie said, taking the folder. "Nice to see you here."

Christine just smiled and Sam wanted to hug her again, but once was enough. He really needed to learn to control himself.

"We should get going," Kyle said, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder. "Our plane is about to leave."

Sam nodded, glad for an escape.

"I'll walk you to your gate," Christine said happily, and skipped away before anyone could say anything.

The others followed, except for Jerry. He kept his eyes on Tina who stared back at him. Sam couldn't help but smirk. He wished he could stay behind and see the show, but Jerry needed privacy and he had someone else demanding his attention.

⭐⭐⭐

Jerry knew he should hurry. He also knew he was in public and that he and Tina had been extremely rude in ignoring the others, but he couldn't help it. Seeing her there after missing her so much was surreal. The warmth in his chest and the way his heart swelled with happiness was also new and worrying; especially because he couldn't tell if she felt the same.

He heard Kyle's words, knew the others had gone and that he should follow them, but he had to say something first. Do something. His body went with doing, so he marched to her and encased her in his arms. She immediately molded against him, burying her face in his chest, her slender arms surrounding his waist. And for a moment, he just held her. He never had, not like this.

"I missed you so much." His mouth suddenly decided it was time to step in.

"I've missed you, too," Tina murmured.

Her words were divine, as was the longing in her voice. He tightened his hold on her and kissed her hair. The gesture had her looking up with curious eyes. He'd always loved their hazel color, the way they reminded him of honey and cinnamon and made him feel at home.

"I'm so happy you're here. It was torture not talking to you."

She smiled shyly. "I know what you mean. You probably have the most pleasant voice in the world."

How had he never noticed how well they fit together, how pleasant it was to be in her arms, how beautiful she smelled, like spring flowers and clean laundry? And her skin... He caressed her cheek with his thumb. It was so soft. He bet her lips were even softer.

Tina's eyes widened and her lips parted as she stared at him. And it was like something short-circuited inside him. His hold on her tightened and he leaned over, his mouth definitely heading for hers. For the fraction of a second, he panicked. But then he just closed his eyes and went for it, consequences be damned. His lips landed on soft skin, but it was the corner of her mouth.

She'd turned her head, and once he pulled away, she glanced at him, slightly panicking. And the panic hit him too because he'd maybe misread her and had completely frightened her.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Oh, no, don't be," she muttered and looked away. "I'm sorry."

That's when he noticed her arms were still around his waist. She wasn't pushing him away, wasn't slapping him, wasn't demanding personal space. Even if it was maybe for the best, he still wondered what had happened, why she'd turned her head.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked.

"I'm just..." Her eyes rose to meet his, and her front teeth dug into her lower lip. "I don't want to do this if it means nothing."

Her words shocked Jerry into letting her go and stepping back. "Means nothing? Tina, I love you."

The words hung between them, silencing the murmur of the crowd. Jerry just stared, unable to believe his mouth had not only produced the words but also let them wonder the halls of the airport freely. What had his brain been doing? Where was it when he needed it the most? And his heart? His heart rejoiced in the honesty of the statement.

He'd never been in love before. But it wasn't like he'd experienced anything like this before either. Apparently his mouth decided to call the feeling love. Maybe it was. It's not like he had anything else to compare it to.

"You do?" Tina finally asked, her voice trembling in disbelief.

"I—I think so."

She smiled weakly. "I think so, too."

Those four little words filled him with a sense of energy and peace he'd never felt before. It was pure happiness, unspoiled by the mundane, by any worry. And it felt amazing that he had this.

"Jerry, come on!" Jimmy called. "I hate playing you, but we're boarding."

And just like that, bliss was gone and worry took its place. They were going to India. Mission, stone, danger, maybe never seeing Tina again. So he kissed her on the forehead, whispered again that he loved her and scurried away. Maybe it wasn't love, but the word felt right.

🌟🌟🌟

Sorry about the late update. I kinda forgot and have been pretty inactive lately 😶

So... We're heading off to India and Christine and Tina are back. What do you think about Christine now? How about Sam's decision to not get back with her (at least yet)? Do you think Christine learned her lesson?

Also, the Tina- Jerry scene was probably one of the hardest I've written because of Jerry's voice which is one for lecture rather than romance. Did it work for you? Did the reasoning behind his slip work?

Thanks so much for reading and don't forget to vote and comment. I'm pretty sure the next update will be much faster.