The sun streamed in through the sliver of the heavy drapes in Charlotte's hotel room. She was still asleep, dreaming of far-off places. Outside in the parking lot, sat her tour guide and the head of security, both in a heated argument over the auburn-haired podcaster.

"We can't do that.." Zach spat.

"The fuck we can. We can do anything necessary. The program demands it, and you know that."

"How would you live with yourself? I can tell you're falling for her as well."

Liam's temper began to flare with his coworker. He had to play nice with him though, and restraint was the only way to do that.

"I am not. This is a mission Haupt. Remember those?"

"I don't anymore, the boss never lets the leash out."

Not the answer he expected, Liam's mind reeled for a beat.

"You have a vital role, and you know it. I have to deal with the trenches work. You wouldn't like it."

"I'll never know."

Flicking on the AC, the two men sat staring at the back of the hotel, deep in thought.

"I need to talk to you about the stones. They know about them in Egypt. And are sending a few people this way."

Zach turned and stared at the rugged man next to him. Anger welled in his chest.

"So this is how she will be eliminated? The boss agree that we do nothing? Like the last one?"

"No. He wants us to keep her safe. More monitoring and a man inside the hotel at all times. One of mine. Plus we can kill any of the Egyptians we need. That was a directive."

"Good. I want in on that, when the time comes," Zach replied. "Charlotte stays safe."

"Who is she seeing today? That nut that was in the tunnels?"

"Not that one, a credible one. One of Johir's."

"You will be with her?"

"Just said that. Yep."

"Good."

Zach left the conversation alone, not wanting to upset his colleague further. Out of everything that he knew about Liam, his ability to be compassionate was not one of them. No matter how he felt, he would carry out orders from the boss. Zach was only glad that in this case, life was granted.

"We need to keep her occupied though. Not give her the chance to sit and think. Can you distract her tomorrow? Take her out to see some things outside the airport maybe?"

Zach warmed at the prospect. He wanted nothing more.

"Sure."

Nodding at each other, Zach took his leave and got out of Liams SUV. It was decided then, he just had to figure out where to take the woman that captivated him. An idea popped up and he grinned. It just might work.

Back inside the hotel, Charlotte stirred as something woke her from her dreams. Sitting up, she felt the rays of the warm sun caress her face softly. It was a wonderful lazy feeling. Though something tugged at her subconscious. She kept wondering the significance of her handsome security lead wanting to be present at the interview today. It had to be more than just monitoring her.

But why?

Perplexed, she got up and stretched, feeling the tension leave her body. Her chest radiated with warmth and a feeling of peace. Thinking nothing of it, she went to the bathroom to shower. An excited feeling took over, as she went through the questions in her mind that she planned to ask the guy who worked in the tunnel construction. It seemed to be the perfect opportunity to glean things he might not think she was looking for. The multi-pointed star shone in her vision as she got under the water. It had to be connected to the airport. She just knew it.

As the water cascaded over her, obscuring her ability to hear, the door to Charlottes hotel room silently opened. In slipped a tall man, with dark hair and all black clothing on. He moves swiftly to her laptop and touched the keys softly. Lingering, he closed his eyes and focused on the task at hand. There wasn't much time before she would finish her shower, and the man stationed outside could detect him if he was paying attention.

On cue, Charlotte turned off the water and the man glanced up, his heart rate thumping. Finishing up, he took his hand off the computer and quickly left the same way that he came in. Only, Charlotte felt a familiar warmth radiate in her chest as he did.

"Is anyone there?" she called out.

Her heart thumping now, she waited as the water dripped from her hair onto the bathmat. Shivering, the warmth traveled throughout her body and the goosebumps that had just sprouted suddenly went away. Perplexed, she grabbed the large towel from the counter and wrapped herself in it.

What just happened?

Ring! Ring!

Her room phone blared, causing her to yelp.

"Shit!"

Rounding the bed, Charlotte picked up the receiver and took a deep breath in.

"Hello?"

"Morning to you too. Ready to go? We have a date at a coffee shop, well, a big bookstore, but it has coffee in it," Liam's velvety voice asked.

"Jesus, the phone scared me. I need to get dressed then I'll be ready. I sort of slept in."

"Take your time, but not girl time long. I know how you women can be."

Charlotte felt her cheeks flush, "I can ready on the fly. I'll be out front in ten."

Hanging up, irritation flashed in her mind. How dare he think she was some primping idiot. She had been on much tougher assignments before, and even been kidnapped. He had no idea who she really was.

I'll use that to my advantage.

Proving her point, she dressed in record time and made it down to the lobby just under ten minutes. Liam's SUV sat like a welcoming chariot; the passenger door open. Charlotte's eyes bulged slightly as he came into view. He looked handsome.

"Good morning," he softly said for a second time as she approached the SUV.

"Morning."

Her cheeks aflame, he waited as she climbed into the front and then softly closed the door, taking note of her expression. Inside the truck, Charlotte's heart hammered wildly. She had no idea how she was going to concentrate with what Liam chose to wear.

"Something wrong beautiful?" he asked, sliding into the drivers seat.

"I...no. I mean, you look nice. I wasn't expecting that."

Liam belted out a laugh.

"I look nice and before I looked like shit?"

"I never said that! I just mean, you clean up nicely."

Her eyes slid to the side, taking a gander at his lap. This time, Liam's cheeks flushed. He figured out what she was looking at.

"For God's sake," he muttered, shielding his bulge with a file folder that he had tucked in the door.

Charlotte laughed, "I think you look nice today."

"Oh I bet you do. It's my business casual."

He pulled out into traffic, and they rode in silence through the city. Denver felt alive to them both. People were everywhere, going about their business in the spring morning. They finally made it to the library, a large hulking building wedged in the modern district, and Liam pulled up to the valet parking area.

"He should be waiting for us inside. But Charlotte, no names. He has to remain anonymous."

"Anonymous?"

"Yeah. To a 't'."

She could only nod as he got out and opened her door. Extending his hand, she let hers slip into the warmth and a transfer occurred. Liam looked at Charlotte as she climbed out of the SUV. Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. A jolt of heat startled them both.

"Ready?" he asked softly, unable to let her hand go.

"Yeah.."

Leading her to the door, he finally untangled his hand from hers. A maître d held the door open for them both. Lost in thought, neither knew what had just taken place. But both were drawn to the other in a way that couldn't be explained.

"We have a private table, upstairs."

Liam explained where they needed to go to the waitress.

"Follow me."

The building was old and huge. Charlotte marveled at the sheer grandness as they were led past tables to a large old-style staircase. Liam let his hand graze her lower back as she went in front of him. The contact an electric sensation on her skin, even through clothing. Up they walked until they reached the top which held the largest bookcases Charlotte had ever seen.

"Sir, ma'am."

The waitress led them to a table nestled in the middle of the books, a very fancy one set with high tea. A tall man with dark hair and weathered skin sat silently. He nodded at Liam as they both sat down. Disappearing, the waitress took her leave and then it was only the three.

"I hope your drive here was pleasant? The town is rather busy today I noticed," the man said.

"It was busy as fuck. I don't know why, noting is going on event wise," Liam scowled, taking a tiny pot and pouring amber liquid into Charlottes cup.

"It's the springtime, it brings out all types. So, you wanted to hear my story of the tunnel construction in DIA?" the man addressed Charlotte.

She nodded, her fingers lightly grazing the porcelain cup that Liam had filled.

"It was a helluva job. We carted out more earth than I had ever seen in my entire life. It was redirected, which means sent to various other government locations for other projects if you will. The job was Top Secret. Still is actually. Hence the reason why my identity has to remain a secret."

"I can appreciate the scope of what you all did, as I went down to see them," Charlotte said.

"I heard. But did Liam here tell you about the runways up above?"

"Runways above?"

The man chuckled and shook his head.

"I thought so. Liam, you going to make her search for all the answers?"

"That's enough..." Liam warmed, a steely look on his face.

Quieting down, the man sighed.

"What about the runways?" Charlotte softly asked, her face searching both men.

"There is an invisible one that isn't shown on any maps. It is where the experimental crafts land undetected."