⭐️ Alessia's P.O.V.⭐️

The rest of the day was spent training. Just like the rest of the week had been. I was more determined than ever to pass all of the required steps to go on this mission. I had to see my dad. I had so much that I wanted to talk to him about. There was one thing bothering me the most, though, and I knew that would be the first thing I would ask my dad about. Was Brea my mother or was the so-called Indira Daeva? I was so confused and I wanted answers. I knew I was just being my curious self, but I had to know. One of the possible answers would be life-changing.

"Sia, you've been training for hours now. You should really stop. It's definitely been enough for one day." Kai was right. I had pushed myself past the normal training time by hours. I wanted to be ready and I thought this would be how.

"Sia, listen to me." Kai caught my wrists and I stopped throwing punches at the black bag. "Earlier I told you that you are nearly ready. And you have about two months to perfect this. You don't have to push yourself so hard. This is why I wasn't wanting to tell you because I didn't want you to put too much pressure on yourself." I saw his worried brown eyes stare into my tired blue ones. I decided I would stop, because I knew he would force me to if I didn't willingly. I didn't want to get into another fight with him today.

"Also, if you remember, Gunner's trial is tomorrow. You should probably be well-rested." I gritted my teeth at the thought of that son of a ya know. I just nodded my head at Kai as he released his hands from my wrists and put them around my waist. He pulled me to his chest and I was instantly comforted. I was exactly the right height for him, I thought. My ear rests right where his heart is and I can hear every heartbeat. I sighed. I checked my watch. 2:45. Yeah. A.M.

"Let's head back to the Bunker, then." Boomer stood up from where he was sitting next to me.

"Do you mind if we stop by to see Kairi first? If you don't want to I could meet you back at the Bunker. There's just something I want to talk to her about." I saw Kai's eyes darken and I wondered what was wrong.

As if reading my mind, he quickly said, "I'm just worried about her is all." I was still confused.

"If it's because of her and Maddox dating I'm sure she's fine-"

"No, it's not that." Kai shook his head. "I'm worried the leaders will take her on the mission with us to hack the computers. It's too dangerous for her to go and I..." He stared off to the distance. I knew what was coming.

"I just can't lose her. She's my sister and the only family I have left." I totally understood. My father was the only family I have left. That's why this mission is so important to me.

"Yeah, I understand. I'll go with you, if you want my company."

"Of course I want your company. Always." Kai gave me that boyish grin that made the butterflies awaken deep within my stomach. Even with me being so tired at about 3 in the morning.

We left the W.A. with Boomer by our side. I felt for Kai's hand and intertwined my fingers with his. I giggled as he swung our connected arms. We made it into the Lab and headed towards the elevator. Once inside, Kai looked at me expectantly.

"What?" I furrowed my brow.

"You gonna crack another one of those awful jokes?" He smirked at me which earned him an eye roll.

"Nah, not this time." I winked at him. He playfully pouted.

"Why not?" His body stiffened when I slung my arms around his neck and my face was inches from his.

"Because, I'm gonna do this instead." My voice was barely an audible whisper. My lips pressed against his and his arms immediately reached around my waist. The heat crept up from my toes all the way to the tips of my ears. The kiss was passionate, but of course the elevator ruined that for us. I groaned as it dinged and the doors opened. I let go of Kai, but he kept one arm around my waist and pulled me close.

"Kairi basically owns this floor. No one else works up here, but her."

I smirked at him.

"How convenient for her."

Kai just shook his head at me and I laughed remembering the night I had first met her. We walked into a familiar room with a wall of entire glass. I could see the stars light up the sky and there was a single light in the room. I looked at the familiar desk and saw a lamp, as the source of light, as well as Kairi typing furiously at her computer. I have never really seen her at work before, but I knew she must be a computer genius.

"How're you doing, sis?" Kai released me and walked over to her, looking over her shoulder at what she was working on. She stopped briefly to push her glasses back up on her nose.

"Normal, I guess. Still working on hacking the database." She gave a tired huff and looked up at her brother. She must be the hardest worker here... I saw dark circles under her eyes and thought about the long hours she worked. Her and Kai chatted for a few minutes while I just stood around. I walked over to the huge glass wall and looked out at the beautiful view. It was honestly breathtaking as I saw the millions of stars light up in the sky. The moon was full and beautiful as it stood its place in the sky. Boomer joined me and sat by my side.

"Sia?" Kai's voice dragged me out of my awe-filled moment. "You ready to go, Princess?" I gave a playful eye roll and headed back over to him. I saw Kairi smile at me knowingly.

"I'm so happy for you guys." Now she was beaming. I wrapped one of my arms around Kai's side and plastered my body to his side. His arms crept around my shoulders giving me a squeeze.

"I am too," He whispered as he kissed my forehead. We both waved to Kairi as we left the room and she waved back.

Once we were out of the building, Kai was the first to break the silence.

"My sister is going, which I am not too happy about." His grip tightened on my hand and I knew he was definitely not happy about it.

"I'm sure she'll be fine, Kai. She's done it before hasn't she?" My eyes tried to meet his as we continued walking, but he avoided my gaze. I felt hurt that he wouldn't even look at me, but I didn't know what to say.

"Yeah, she has, but not a mission like this." Kai opened the Bunker door and Boomer and I slipped inside. I reached for Kai's hand, but both of them were balled into fists. I saw his knuckles turning white and I placed my hand on top of them.

"Hey, it's okay. Everything will be okay. I'm sure if I'm able to go, surely she must be able to handle herself just fine." He finally looked me in the eye and I could just see a wave of fear take over. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head in his chest.

"It'll be okay," I whisper against him, his shirt muffling my words. I felt his arms wrap around me as he hugged me back.

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right. I guess I'm just overthinking." His breath tickled my neck and I shivered. I felt something pushing in between me and Kai and I looked down to see Boomer. We both laughed and Boomer sat there panting, looking as if he was smiling.

"I'm sorry, Boomer, but you're gonna have to share her with me. She's mine too." I giggled as Kai had a 'conversation' with the dog.

We both walked back to our rooms and stopped when we made it to the space in between. I could tell that Kai's mood still wasn't normal, but he still couldn't be worried about his sister. I didn't know what to say to him, as he hugged me and I gratefully accepted it. He pulled away and kissed me softly, as a sigh escaped my lips. I felt him smile into the kiss and when he pulled away he had a smirk on his face. His mood seemed to lift a little and I hoped he would be over this in the morning. He let go of me and I opened my door.

"Goodnight, Sia. I love you."

My stomach awakened with a fluttery feeling and I smiled like a fool.

"I love you too." I looked back up at his eyes and then he turned around and opened up his door. I slipped inside my room and our doors shut at the same time. Boomer laid next to the bed while I did my nightly routine.

Once I was done I flopped down onto my bed, I was still disturbed as to why Kai was acting the way he was. I knew it couldn't be his sister after what he said. I've never seen him like this. He was almost depressed. Depressed and angry all at the same time. As I shut off my light, realization hit me. Gunner's trial.