"Well, somebody had a great night that she forgot go where she lived." she heard Brian's sarcastic remark as she entered the house.

She approached the kitchen counter where he is preparing breakfast. Blaze, who  is busy with his breakfast, was sitting on one of the stool across Brian.

Cassie didn't say anything. Instead, she proceeded to the where the refrigerator is and took an orange juice for herself.

"So?" Brian asked, taking his eyes from what he is doing to look at her questioningly.

"Bry, let's not to talk about this. OK?" Cassie said dismissively. 

"So, back with Montgomery again?" she heard Brian again when she was about to leave.

"What are you talking about?" she asked incredulously.

"You know? I thought after everything, you'd know better than to get involved with him again." he sounded disappointed.

"How did you find out?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Do you think I didn't notice how you've changed since he arrived? I am your best friend AND your brother. So I asked Blaze to dig up anything about him. And we found out you have a common friend called Professor Acosta and you attended a fundraiser together in Guadalajara.  And don't give me that look." he said matching Cassie's accusing look on him.

"You had me investigated?!" she said in disbelief. "And by my own brother?"

"I was worried when Brian told me." Blaze confessed.

"You had that same look on you when I first met you, you know? I just don't want you to go back to that awful experience." he admitted.

Cassie sighed. "I can handle this. You don't need to worry."

"Can you?" Brian said angrily. "Last time, you almost wasted your life and as your brother, I won't let that happen again. You shouldn't see that bastard again."

"You are out of your mind. You can just dictate me."

"Of course, I do if that's the only thing I could do to protect you."

"Bry, back off!" Blaze finally said. Cassie has almost forgotten their oldest brother was also there. "Cassie is capable enough of making her own decisions."

"I can't believe this."

"You know, I admire your concern brother but I think you should be dealing with your own problems instead of meddling in mine." Cassie said, irritated.

She left them and went straight to her room to have a quick shower and change clothes for work. Brian has always been so protective of her as a friend but since they found out they were siblings, his protectiveness has been suffocating. She adored both her brothers but she's used to being alone and it's taking her time to get used to the sense of a parent again let alone two older brothers.

When she went down the kitchen, both her brothers were still there. 

"I'm going to work." she said.

"Would you like to go with me?" Brian offered. He was calmer now.

"Hey! I've got a better idea. Why don't I give you both a ride to work?" Blaze suggested, enthusiastically. "Come on! It's not everyday I get to give my little siblings a ride."

"Oh! he we go again." she and Brian both grumbled which made them both laugh.

"Sorry!" they both muttered when they looked at each other.

"You know, I love you, right?" he said which made Cassie felt warm.

"I love you too brother." she replied.

"That's more like it. I love you my little siblings." Blaze said before giving both her and Brian a bone-crushing hug.

While they were on their way to the hospital, Cassie learned that Blaze didn't visit them to know why she hasn't come home the previous night.

Her brother is going to work on a case abroad again. And this time, it'll be in Guadalajara. Whether or not Blaze was allowed to reveal this, she didn't ask. All she knew is that he needed her help to penetrate the same agency she worked for before. She couldn't believe when Blaze told her that the agency was being used as a front for sex-trafficking and prostitution. She never suspected them of anything before. But Blaze told her that it might be recent and that's why I need to be there since I've worked for them for quite sometime in the past.

Blaze didn't emphasize but she knew it's important for him. And she wants to her brother.

"Cass, could you give this to Alyzza? I just remembered I need to speak with Mrs. Avery regarding my application." Brian said when they were at the doctor's lounge. He slipped something in her palm and found a diamond drop earring. It was the one Alyzza was wearing last night at Midas.

"What? Where's the other one?" she asked confused.

"I found that on my bed this morning. I thought she might be looking for that." he said nonchalantly.

"You mean you too...?" she trailed off, looking at her brother with curious look.

"Don't you think it's about time to come clean?" he confessed.

"I really wanted you guys to talk and sort things out. But it seemed you did more than talk." she said grinning.

"I know right. So will you return that to her for me? I really got to run."

"Sure brother." she called out to Brian back. He just raised his right hand and gave her a thumbs up.

Cassie was walking on the hallway on her way to the ED, when she ran into James. With quick movement, he dragged her into the supply room and kissed her without preamble.

The prospect of getting caught made their little stolen moment a complete turn on.

Her soft moans encouraged him to deepen his kisses which she returned with full of passion. His hands sneaked down her lower scrubs when she stopped him.

"We can't." she whispered weakly trying to regain her composure.

"Sí. Sí." he said with a deep sigh of disappointment. "You're right." he said again. His forehead still brushing hers. "I really don't know why I can't get enough of you." he said smiling.

"Then better getaway before you get burned then." she said jokingly.

He gave a throaty laugh. "Anyway, I have something to tell you. I don't..." he was cut off when Cassie's pager went off. It was from Alyzza telling her that her patient's parents are ready to discuss the operation.

"I'm sorry. You were saying?" she asked hastily. But before James could utter, this time it's his phone that interrupted him.

"Hey, Steph!" he greeted as he answered the phone.

Cassie seemed to have been dumped by a bucket full of ice upon remembering Dr. Grant. She completely forgot her and James' relationship.

"I need to go." she said gently while he is still on the phone.

James followed her but she moved quickly and almost hit Michael along the way.

"Oops! Careful there, Miller." he said smiling at her which immediately evaporated when he saw James behind her. "I mean Dr. Miller. We need you at 1." he said which meant her patient at Trauma 1. She went ahead of Michael leaving James still on his phone. 

"Here's your earring. And don't ask me where I got it. You talk." Cassie demanded Alyzza as she was finishing her report.

"Well, we sort of argued. Then next thing I know we were in the flat and you know what happened." she said casually.

"So what's your score?" she pressed further. Grace who is behind Alyzza has been giving her a murderous stare.

"I asked him if he wants me or not. He said he wanted to work things out between us." she shrugged. Cassie could see that her friend is happy.

"Way to go, girl! I'm so happy for you." she said slightly disturb by Grace's behavior.

"How about you and the boss? You are glowing, you know"

"Apparently, Brian told you about our past." she stated flatly. "Well, I don't know what we are right now considering he is still with Dr. Grant." she admitted.

"Do you think you can work things out?"

"Maybe. I don't know. He said he wants to start anew. He was telling me something earlier but we were cut off."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do more than talk next time but I suggest be honest with what you feel. Did I say you are glowing?" she said again. Obviously teasing her.

"Thanks, babe." she said grinning when she noticed Grace again. "Hey! What wrong with Grace today? She seemed odd."

"Well, she's not too pleased with your matchmaking act last night. She ended having no gossip partner anymore."

"You mean Michael and Leila?"

"Yep! I heard what you did to Jason too. I didn't know you were a great wing woman."

"Not to brag but Jason was an easy one. The man has extreme appeal. While Michael's been hitting on Leila for awhile now. I just gave them a little nudge. And if there's someone being a Grinch here, it's her. I think I should match her with someone so she can loosen up."

"Well, you know how she is. Don't worry about her. She'll come around soon."

After much consideration and internal battle, she has decided to take Alyzza's advice to talk to James about them. She will confess and then take things from there.

But she couldn't find him. He suddenly disappearance and no one seemed to know where he has gone.

She asked several people who usually worked with him. And she even went her way to ask Dr. Grant pretending she needed him for a consult about a patient. 

During Cassie's dinner with her dad and Blaze after a week of James' sudden departure, they spoke again regarding the case her brother is going do to in Guadalajara. She gave him as much information as she can remember about the agency. She is hoping that through this, she won't need to go with him. She is quite sure her brother is only waiting for her decision.

Her father had even hinted that he wanted to go with them. And for the life of her, she can't bring herself to directly decline to both of them.

This and Alyzza's advice had kept Cassie awake late at night in the past weeks.   

"It's been two weeks. Where the hell is he?" she muttered to herself.

"Who are you looking for?" ALyzza asked which made her jump.

"I've been thinking. Really hard." she said while checking the lab results of her patient. 

"And?" Alyzza asked at the same time checking for updates from the incoming ambulance.

"And I realized. I still love him, babe." she uttered honestly.

Alyzza smiled. "Then, that's good. Better tell him personally."

"That's the problem. He's gone. I don't know where he is. It's driving me crazy." she blabbed desperately.

"He's in the doctor's lounge. He just came in."

"I know and I check there everyday. But he's not .... Wait?! What did you just say?!"

"He's there. Now, stop talking nonsense and just go."

She nodded to Alyzza before walking towards the doctor's lounge. She tried her best not to run in the hallway on her way there.

When she was near the lounge, she tried to keep her breathing steady even if her heart is pounding so violently. 

You just need to tell him you love him. No sweat.

She took a deep sigh before turning the doorknob slowly. The door was several inches open when she heard voices inside the lounge. She doesn't wanna eavesdrop but before she could close the door again, she recognized James' voice.

"I don't back down to my promise, sweetheart. I promised your dad I'll walk you down the aisle. And that's what I'll do." he said sincerely.

They're getting married? Cassie felt like being stabbed a thousand times. Her tears threatening to fall.

"How about your little project?" Dr. Grant's voice asked.

"Your mean the one in Guadalajara?" he confirmed.

 How dare you!

"Well, that's why I needed to getaway for awhile. But don't you worry about it. I've already tied that particular loose end. I'm here now for the wedding. I'm all yours, sweetheart."

"Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Oh! I love you too."

Cassie didn't need to listen everything but she stood rooted on the spot. Her whole body was shaking in disbelief. Her head is spinning while trying to absorb what she just heard.

It took much courage but when she found her strength, she quickly left the sickening place before anyone knew she was there.

She felt like an idiot. He did it again and this time she fell head first to the abyss. Everything that happened between her and James was just to seal the past behind. This is what he meant by starting with a clean slate. 

"Cass? Are you there?" it was Alyzza's voice. She reluctantly opened the door of the restroom. Alyzza immediately closed and locked the door when she saw Cassie's face.

"Babe? What happened?" she asked gently. Her eyes full of concern.

She stared at Alyzza for a while before her tears started to flood her face again. She couldn't contain the pain she felt. She felt betrayed and violated but the worst thing is, she let it happen to her again. Allowed James to have control over her again just like before. 

"I should have known. He did it before. Of course he will do it again. I can't believe I fell for it again."

Alyzza didn't say anything. She just comforted her. 

She needed to collect herself before she completely broke apart. She stood up with a firm decision in mind.

"Are you sure you're ready to get back to work?" Alyzza asked.

"Nope. I don't think so. Wanna know what I think?"

"What?" she asked

"I need to go on a Sabbatical."

"What do you mean Sabbatical?"

"I need to getaway from here for awhile."

"Okaaay? Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes. I haven't really done a long vacation since I came here and it'll be perfect."

"Aren't you rushing things over?"

She let out a deep sigh. "I may not be emotionally stable and thinking straight right now but I know I need peace. Maybe after their wedding or maybe longer. I don't know yet." she admitted.

"I understand."

"Thanks. babe!"

After they left the restroom, Cassie headed to Mrs. Avery's office. She came across Dr. Grant in front of the administrator's office.

"Dr. Miller" she greeted.

"Hi!' she replied simply.

"I hope you could come to the wedding. James will be there." she said." Oh! he told me all about you two." she explained misinterpreting Cassie's frown with confusion. "I'd better go. Bye!"

She just looked at her retreating back. Dr. Grant really seemed a nice person. 

And James is marrying her.

"Cass? Cassandra?" They heard a shouting Brian, a door slamming before they saw his disheveled appearance.

"Bro, you look like hell!" Blaze commented.

"Is it true? You're leaving? How come you didn't even bothered to tell me?" he asked, ignoring Blaze's remark. She felt guilty keeping her family in the dark.

It's for the best. I think.

After she spoke with Mrs. Avery, she immediately left the hospital, making Alyzza promise not to tell her brother what really happened so he won't be distracted at work. And she is also afraid of what he might do to James. The least she wants at times time is to create a fuss and attract attention. She just wanna disappear.

"Bry, please sit down." their father ordered him and he did."

"Why are you leaving? Did that bastard do anything?" Brian asked forcefully. He doesn't really give up easily.

"Who is this bastard your brother is talking about, darling?" their dad asked her, concerned but more curious.

"It's nothing dad." she looked at their father to convince him before looking at Blaze for help. Fortunately, her brother got the message.

"Yes, it's not a big deal dad." he said. Blaze can convince their father better than she or Brian can. "And for your question little brother." he said facing Brian. "Cassie is leaving because of me. Wait! Let me finish." He said when Brian was about to say something. "I have a case and I need Cassie's help so we will leave. Temporarily. Maybe three months or less. Is everything clear now?" Blaze finished.

"I see. So you'll be back in three months?" Brian asked.

"Yes. And Oh! dad is coming with us."

"What? I thought it's about a case?"

"Of course, it is."

"Then, why do I feel like you're going on a family trip without me?"

Blaze started laughing "Stop being such a baby."

"You can come with us too." their dad said. Cassie nodded while Blaze was still laughing.

"I wish. But everyone seems to have a sudden vacation all at once."

Cassie knew exactly what her brother meant and she doesn't wanna deal with that anymore. She is leaving and hopefully she'll forget everything about James without a hitch.