Today's chapter is dedicated to the sweet and talented @anonymouswriter237 who always makes my day with her comments on each new chapter (and who is also the best to fangirl with about the greatest loves of all time 😉)!! Thank you for your support on my stories 😘💕 Love you!

Every hint of assurance that has been pumping in her veins leaves her body like the blood from her face as she stares at the man's typical gray outfit, his large eyes narrowing too fast, and mostly, the gun in his hand like the inevitable crash to the ground.

There is nothing they can do to prevent it, nothing to reach anyway, no parachute, no safety, and moving would only precipitate their fall. She can't even close her eyes, too paralyzed in front of the impending collapse.

Yet there is no crash.

In less than a microsecond, Nathaniel lets go of her hand – she doesn't even know how when she is gripping his in a desperate grip – and he leaps on the buff man.

It all happens so fast that she only catches flashes: the gun flying against the wall, the man's fist aimed at Nathaniel, his hand on his walkie-talkie, Nathaniel behind him, and the next thing she sees is the man's unconscious body on the floor as her heart is starting again with powerful bangs.

Of course, her hero is always there to save her, and the only collapse happening is her heart falling more in love with him as the hammering in her chest is, in an instant, washing a warm rush all over her body, melting the freezing dread away and replacing it with something much lighter than relief.

The panic can't even catch up with her again when a distant voice echoes through the static of the walkie-talkie.

"TOT20?"

"RTN00... WURG15." Nathaniel once more reacts immediately, answering through the walkie-talkie with a deeper voice, and she can only stare at him in awe, like everyone around apparently because he lifts an eyebrow and breaks the uncanny silence – even Andy is quiet – with a humble shrug. "It's a military code. It means 'everything okay?', 'Yes, no worry', and 'Bathroom emergency, I'll be away for at least 15 minutes'."

It is not for this reason that everyone has been looking at him with large eyes when the attack he has just pulled has been extraordinary, heroic. But now, they are all laughing lightly at his explanations, well, except Andy, who doesn't have to be discreet, and of course, he almost shatters their eardrums, while Hadi mumbles,

"I guess having soldiers in the team can be useful."

Only Nathaniel is already focusing on the next step, and she recognizes the strong and serious Captain Johnson here, even though she also notices the spark lighting in his eyes when he pronounces two particular words.

"Can you help me tie him in a closet? In case he wakes up before the 10 minutes, so we're sure the Love Bug will be long spread when they find him."

Hadi and Sacha quickly join to carry the poor guard, who really hasn't got luck when he has already been annoyed by his colleagues.

She could almost pity him if he hadn't been pointing his gun at them seconds ago. However, her ribcage isn't shriveling at all as she watches the three men pushing him into the closet; on the contrary, it is expanding with strong thuds as she is still trying to process what has happened.

Even if she isn't surprised by what Nathaniel has done, he always manages to amaze her, and she will never let him doubt again that he is a hero.

He is her hero, and the way he is fighting for freedom, for them, figuratively and literally, is more exhilarating than any thrill of succeeding the dangerous mission; the tingling in her veins more than adrenaline when they set off again, and he instantly finds her hand.

"I love you, my hero," she tells him, the whisper only meant for him echoing in the long silence following.

A million words are on the tip of Nate's tongue to reply, even a million gestures on the tip of his fingers and his lips as all he wants to do is lift her in his arms, spin her around, and kiss her again and again. But he fights the urge coming from the loud beats of his heart because the Love Bug isn't finished.

They can't drop their guard. What has just happened is proof of it.

The sight of the guard appearing right behind Anastasia and pointing his gun at her is too fresh in his memory. The painful jump of his heart is still resonating in all his shaky nerves, and this image will haunt him forever, adding to all the times he's been too close to losing her.

So now, all his senses are on the lookout for the smallest sign of danger, his right fist ready to aim, while his left hand is holding hers tightly, and neither is faltering, even when they near the end. Just like they're all holding their breaths at the sight of the small door they've entered what seems to be an eternity ago, yet even if the silence is growing more and more restless, no sigh of relief is heard until they reach the black van.

Only then, they come out in a chain reaction, Nate being the last one to breathe after one more glance to be sure there is no one around, and as if perfectly on cue, that's when vibrations are resonating from all their phones like a quiet roar of victory, a rumble of power.

The 'Love Bug' is happening.

He doesn't need to look at his phone as the words appear in big bold letters on Anastasia's screen and the next second, it's the shine of her wide smile that even the black fabric of her hood can't hide.

"We did it!"

Everyone echoes her words with cheers – at least, the best they can while staying discreet – excited jumps, and some pats on the back. Yet all he sees in this instant is Anastasia and their future as he wraps his arms around her waist, sweeping her off her feet, and his whole world revolves around her as he spins her in his hold.

Even Andy's grand victory dance with a fist in the air goes unnoticed. "We're the dream team!"

He's right, nonetheless. Everyone here – and even the others at the armed forces' headquarters – has participated in the success of the Love Bug, and it's only because they're together that they have made it out alive.

Stronger together. Nate has known it; they can't fight alone, and despite their differences, he's never experienced that much strength and unity through all the military missions he's ever done in his life. He's never felt so much accomplishment after, either, so many victory sparks, so much love, so much hope, and he really has to thank every person of this dream team.

But he starts with the most important one, the inspiration, his love bug.

"Thank you for always believing in us, my heroine," he softly whispers as he puts her back down, although with his forehead resting on hers and his head spinning, he's still gravitating towards her, and the faint cracks in her voice resonates louder than all the others' cheers when she asks,

"It'll work, right?"

It's half a question, half a prayer because they can celebrate this part all they want, but the Love Bug won't be a success until they have freedom, and they can't forget that it's their unique and last hope.

They can't doubt now though, with how much they've gone through.

He believes in the impossible with all these strong people around, and especially in front of Anastasia's ardent eyes, their power as irresistible as the attraction magnetizing their pendants together, even through the fabric of their clothes.

"Yes, now we just have to let it be."

This little motto has taken so much more meaning since the first time he's pronounced it in a moment of euphoric daze. Yet as a light giggle escapes Anastasia's lips, the same impulse to seal the words is tickling him, urging his muscles to pull her closer and steal one little moment alone with her before she can follow the others inside the van.

One little moment, that's all they have for now because he has to go back to his house, to Pamela, and pretend he's coming back from work after this, while Anastasia will stay at Andy and Khloe's for what is supposed to be a bachelorette sleepover.

One last lie hopefully, and it'll be the most excruciating hours away from each other. The desperation and anguish are already invading him at the thought, and that's what is rushing his movements as she doesn't have time to see him take off his hood and roll up hers.

But she definitely feels the crash of their lips. The sparks of adrenaline that have arisen in the past hour rekindle all at once with the impact, and the passionate caresses of his mouth are turning them into bursts of fire, which are echoing in strong thumps and crackles in all her being like... fireworks.

It is a fireworks kiss, and the best way to celebrate their success. Her legs are fizzling like the showers of sparks falling out in the sky as she slips her fingers in his curls, trying to hold on to something, even if Nathaniel's strong arms are always there to catch her, pulling her closer by the waist while his other hand is tenderly cupping her jaw.

And as any great fireworks, the grande finale startles her when his tongue pokes against the swell of her upper lip, and he takes the opportunity of her gasp to slide into her parted mouth. Magnificent whirls of sensations are popping everywhere like eruptions of vivid colors, from his unique coffee taste to the plumpness of his lips and to the goosebumps he's arousing with just the brush of his thumb over her warm cheek as their tongues are swirling together, and she is relishing every spark.

There is something special in this kiss that she can't explain. It resembles all the meaningful moments they have shared before, yet it is different.

It is as desperate and intense as if it was their last kiss, while it holds the same excitation and need as their first, and when they pull away, and she meets his penetrating dark eyes through the few dots of colors, she is even more breathless and dazzled.

"Je t'aime," he murmurs, leaning in for a quick peck, which holds the same promise as their fireworks kiss.

***

'We serve and protect'. The simple letters are still hovering imposingly above the large sculpted door of the armed forces' headquarters.

However, at the sight, the million emotions rousing and swirling in Anastasia's chest until they are reaching up the lump of her throat aren't the same. Anastasia isn't the same as she swallows it all harshly and continues on her way.

If she had known three months ago...

Yet something hasn't changed: her determination for the future as she pushes the same side door, one last time.

Today is her last day here, and that's one of the reasons why she is dawdling through the long hallways she has once been lost in. Now, she has grown accustomed to the gray walls and the endless maze of turns and closed doors, so much that she even chooses a longer way to the locker room, passing by the entrance hall, where she knows someone should arrive soon too.

He is the main reason why she is taking this detour, actually. The main reason why she has come here a few minutes in advance. The main reason why she has wakened up early, or more exactly she has gone to bed at an early morning hour, and she hasn't been able to find sleep for the little time she has had.

At least, she really has the face for a post-bachelorette party morning. Though the dark circles under her eyes and her tired legs aren't because of alcohol or dancing, and her bachelorette celebration has definitely been... original. This thought would make her smile if she wasn't too tensed to even lift the corners of her mouth.

She is ready to snap at any second, and the quietness around is only stirring the pressure inside. Everything is too calm, too normal.

Her eyes have searched everywhere for something out of the ordinary since she has left Andy and Khloe's apartment, but from the subway ride here to the now quiet hallways of the armed forces' headquarters, everything is the same.

She could believe that last night has just been a dream if she had fallen asleep for even one second. She could believe the Love Bug hasn't spread if she hadn't checked it a thousand times with Andy and Khloe last night. She could believe she is going crazy, and maybe she is, as her thoughts are spinning faster and faster, threatening to suffocate her in this spiral, and her sweaty hand is holding onto one simple item like a lifeline.

It isn't even her phone this time. She hasn't touched it since she has seen the Love Bug message appear on her screen because calling Nathaniel wouldn't be safe when he is at his house with his wife, and the new wave of sourness clogging up her throat at the image isn't helping to breathe. She will never get used to it; she won't have to.

That's why she is also too paralyzed to even cast a glance at the news, too scared to see her hopes crushed, too terrified to glimpse a familiar face.

The reality around is surely representative enough, and it is too calm.

'Let it be', it is her pendant she is gripping with all her might as she tries to take deep breaths and recall Nathaniel's words, reminding herself it is still early.

It may be hard to remember for her, whose eyes have been wide open and whose nerves have been alert with something stronger than caffeine, but normal people sleep during the night. Besides, they will need time to discover the various arts and proofs, process them and make a decision. She herself has been through this; it doesn't happen in a few minutes.

So she has to be patient and have faith, and as if on cue, she arrives in the entrance hall on this thought, the familiar silhouette on the other side pulling her a sigh of relief.

The morning sun coming through the large windows is illuminating every angle of his strong figure, providing a special glow on his dark gray uniform, and he really appears like the ray of hope she needs, especially when she meets his tenebrous eyes.

All she wants to do is run into his arms and listen to his smooth voice whispering soothing words and promises to tell her everything will be fine. Yet she fights this desperate urge spreading faster and faster in her legs with every loud thud of her heart because it would be madness, and they have to be wise, just for a little bit more.

Meeting his tender chocolate gaze is already enough, and with the small smile stretching his lips, her heart is flying to him. Even from afar, he manages to soothe her, and the people walking around and across their way don't matter. Nothing matters, but this unique and precious instant that they are sharing secretly with their hands over their compass pendants.

Yet like anything unique and precious, it can never last in this world.

She should have known. She should have seen the shadows lurking around, if she hadn't been so dazzled by the shine in Nathaniel's eyes, if they hadn't been swarming in less than a second.

But when she notices them, they are already all around, invading her peripheral vision, and she doesn't even have to look when a blood-curdling sound freezes her.

She may have only heard it once, yet she would recognize the dread coming with it in a cacophony – and also in Nathaniel's gaze. Slowly but surely, in a second that feels an eternity, the shine in the brown shades is dimming, swallowed by the terror and panic until there is no light of hope in his dark eyes, no light of hope for them.

However, when she finally dares to follow his gaze, she realizes the dark green and gray uniforms aren't around her. They are heading in the opposite direction, where her heart is.

"Nathaniel Johnson, you're under arrest for high treason."

If she has thought she had known pain before, it has been nothing in comparison to the blow of those words. Not even when Nathaniel has shattered her heart, not even when she has almost suffocated to death in that steam room, she has felt that agony.

Now, she is really dead inside. That freezing darkness is spreading in her veins, and she doesn't hear her heart anymore. Yet every inch of her body is excruciatingly aching, physically being torn apart, and that's exactly what it is as those soldiers are circling Nathaniel.

There are so many, with twice as many weapons and shields, that she can't even count, and they are all forming a dark shadow about to take the kindest soul she has ever known away. While she can do nothing.

Everything is happening too fast as she is numb and paralyzed, watching it unfold in a slow blur.

She hears cries that she recognizes as her voice, but they are swallowed by gasps and the same siren, which doesn't seem to stop, piercing more than her eardrums, and only a few words echoing through a loudspeaker are reaching her, ringing a faraway memory in the back of her mind, until they are forming the familiar sentence she has learned carefully a few years ago.

"... Without a fight."

That's exactly what Nathaniel is doing, not moving, not flinching, and showing up his hands. How can he accept this? Without a fight? Fight... for it.

This pulls her out of her daze, her still-aching muscles launching her forward, even though she doesn't know what she is doing.

She doesn't know how she can save him, and it is surely not the wisest, not even a sensible idea. But she isn't thinking with her brain; she is fighting with her heart, as she battles her way through a crowd that tosses her like a raging ocean on her way to Nathaniel, and her petite body still pushes through the many people watching the scene until she can glimpse those chocolate eyes again.

Like magnets, his gaze instantly finds hers, and once again, all their emotions are passing through the intensity of their stares, although all the shine from seconds ago has vanished, and she is sure even the sun has hidden to not witness their tragedy.

Nathaniel seems to be the only one ready to face it. There is not even a shade of fear in his eyes, only an unwavering transparency, and while his lips are sealed to not reveal her name, his eyes are screaming at her.

It is the first time he is so commanding to her, his penetrating gaze ordering her, 'Don't move', so intently that even through the chaos around, she hears those words he has told her many times. However, it is also the first time she doesn't listen to him.

Nothing can stop her. Even the large men standing like a wall around Nathaniel and pushing her back and forth aren't as strong as her determination, as strong as her love. She will fight for Nathaniel, and she is almost reaching the scariest soldiers in green and gray uniforms, when the certainty in Nathaniel's eyes wavers, and with the terror replacing it, her strides are faltering too.

She instantly knows something isn't normal. Her hero is never scared for himself, or at least, he doesn't let it show. Just like he would never glance away from her, yet that's what he does, his eyes focusing on something that, from the fright tensing his features, must be as terrifying as a ghost behind her.

When his gaze flickers back to hers, surely to warn her through their unique connection, she is already yanked back roughly, and the impact blurs her vision for a second as she collides with a hard chest.

She hasn't even realized she still has been breathing through the whole scene until she gasps into a damp fabric, a sour taste pervading from her nose to her mouth and raising all her alarms as she struggles against the arms holding her.

She tries to struggle, as the unstoppable strength of her love for Nathaniel is sucked away from her body, or more exactly, her muscles are abandoning her, while all this love is still consuming her.

Something isn't right, and she fights harder. She battles to not breathe; she wrestles to claw with a tremendous effort at her captor.

But she is losing again. And when she lifts her gaze to Nathaniel, through the flashing dots, she sees him fighting with the same strength, shoving and knocking the many armed soldiers on his way.

But he is pushed back just when all the blurry flashes are turning into a black nothing, and as his gaze burning with despair is the last thing imprinting in her mind, she wonders why whatever substance invading her body isn't numbing the pain in her chest.

CLIFFHANGER!!!😱😱😭 Please don't hate me! I've been preparing this scene for so long (and I even put a little hint in the trailer 🤭) yet I'm still not ready for it 😭😭💔

What do you think of this chapter? Did you expect the Love Bug would go so smoothly? It's never as easy, especially in this future!

Who do you think is kidnapping Ana? And what will happen to Nate? Let me know your suppositions in the comments 🥺😭 and don't forget to vote ⭐ if you liked this chapter, or at least, can't wait to know what will happen next!

Sorry to torture you my little rays of sunshine, but we're nearing the end, so a lot will happen, and I guess this is my way to thank you for all your love and support, this is tough love, isn't it? 😅 Je vous aime 😘💕🌞