Credit for this chapter goes to EmbersofMemories, whom I based this chapter off of Amster Green.

Please listen to Pioneers, by For King and Country

2 years later...

I stroll into my office smirking. Clancy told me to meet him here, over lunch. He said he had something planned, probably another date sat the Diner.

I fondly think back to the first date, when we were dating illegally because he was 18, while I was still 17, though it was only for a couple of months. Marla saw us kissing, and didn't even care, she just smiled and kept on walking. Though she did later tell us to not do it again.

When I enter the tunnel (Spectrum has a lot of secret entrances, and since my office is so close to LB's some of the tunnels are accessible from my office.) I'm completely blown away. There are candles lighting the path out. This isn't just a normal date, what's Clancy doing?

I stroll through, with the candles lighting the way, and seeing all sort of pictures; pictures of our missions, our dates, me going to his father's ambassador events, prom, all sorts of things. This must have taken him hours to fix up. Why?

I enter a small clearing, and see Clancy. "Hey Clance, what's with all the candles. Is there some kind of anniversary that I forgot about? Is that why you're feeling so romantic tonight?"

"No. Actually I'm the one who's early, as always. Ruby, we've been dating for a year and 364 days now. Nearly two years, I just wanted us to spend the night together." He says soothingly, smiling.

Except, something's off about his smile. He's nervous about something. As if to prove my point, he quickly stuffs his hands into his pockets, but not before I see his hands shaking. Why is he nervous around me?

"Ruby, do you trust me?" He asks, with a slight tremor in his voice.

"You know I do Clancy, why?" I ask, completely confused.

"Then please close your eyes." He asks, and I oblige.

Clancy POV

I led her past the entrance to her house, Pinkerton's, and my office, into an old tunnel that I discovered a while ago. A tunnel that comes out into a very special place, our oak tree.

We've spent many years in this tree, and ever have our initials etched in the branch that we always leave note in. How she hasn't discovered that it's a Spectrum entrance is beyond me.

I lead her to the bench. The bench where we had our second kiss, and many more after that. We've spent nearly as much time here as what we have in the tree. Sometimes just sitting here reading, other times talking after a stressful work day, laughing, kissing, crying.

Except this time we might not sit down. Or, at least I didn't bring her here to try to.

I turn and look at her, completely beautiful, without a dress or makeup on. Her red hair standing out in the candlelight, and her skin complex seeming on fire. She looks completely elegant, standing there with her eyes closed, a slightly impatient look on her face, fixed with her I'm-trying-to-figure-this-our-but-can't-and-I'm-getting-super-frustrated look.

I take a deep breath, and get down on one knee, still holding her hands.

Then I gently take the ring out of my pocket, and tell her to open her eyes.

The flutter open, and her hand goes up to her mouth, shoke clear on her face.

I then recite the words that I have practiced for a year now. "Ruby, I've known that since we met we would always be best friends, and if our parents had their way, something more than that. Turns out that I was right, you've been my best friend all my life, my most trusted ally, whom I told everything to, my partner on all my missions, with us traveling the world together.

Through all this, though all the double agents we've uncovered, all the billets we've taken, you were the only person I could completely trust and talk to. I still do, and let me tell you Ruby, no man on earth has ever loved or trusted someone as much as I have to you.

I've always know you were important to me, and over the years I've fallen more and more in love with you. In love with your spunk, the way you don't care what others think, your wit, your rules, your sarcasm, and I've even learned to tolerate your tardiness. I love all these traits, and I NEVER want to lose you.

Ruby, if you will take my hand in marriage, I'll hold you close and cherish you always. If you go missing, I'll search the whole world for you, comb every inch of the oceans. I'll go up against anyone and everyone to keep you safe. Whoever you are, I want to be with you.

I've known for nearly a year now that I don't want to live without you. If you were to be killed right now, I'd kill myself because I can't live without you.

Ruby Zilla Redfort"

She half cries when I say her full name, breathing heavily and pinching herself as if she can't believe this is happening.

"Will you become Ruby Zilla-Redfort Crew, and share my name with me?"

By now, my hands are completely shaking, the ring box is trembling so badly, she probably can't even see the ring.

A couple of second pass, a pause of complete silence fills the air, as if everything is holding their breath to see what Ruby will say.

"Yes," she says smiling so gently, her voice breaking halfway through. "It's all I've ever wanted for the past year."

I beam, as I slip the ring on her finger. A perfect fit, just like Hitch said it'd be.

She looks at me for a second, before leading me to bench, and kissing me patiently, not as my girlfriend, but as my fiancé, and somehow, these kisses are even sweeter.

Too bad that while they were caught up in their bliss of being with one another, they forgot Ruby's Rule 9: there's always a chance that someone, somewhere is watching you.

'Fall for him even further darling, you deserve a man like him in your life. Yes, fall for him very hard, have many children, and keep them away from your profession, for both of your sakes.' I think before they silently slip back into the shadows, smiling, being flooded with memories of romance.

Wow!! Two updates in one week!! I wonder who the person at the end of the chapter is?! I would love to hear your thoughts on this, and on the whole chapter. I'm sorry if the characters seem a little off. I'm also going to add some scenes, like the first date mentioned and Clancy picking out the ring, in my Oneshots book. Please vote and comment!!!!