Ara took a deep breath and counted to ten. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and on ten she began her story.

"We knew each other since we were children; he lived across the road from me. We would walk together to school and go to the park.." 

"Stick to the important part of the story please." Natasha interrupted. Ara nodded and continued.

"A few weeks ago, I was guarding the building and I saw someone sneaking off into the shadows. As my duty, I went after them, not knowing who it was of course. But when I caught him, I realized I had a chance to find out what the men's camp were planning. We arranged to meet again, which we did in an old shack my parents had. We met up in secret a few times, and I fulfilled my duty to the girl's camp by finding out enough information to stay one step ahead of him.." 

Ara looked up into Natasha's eyes, took a deep breath, and continued. 

Jack finally felt feeling in his legs again. Slowly he was able to come up to his knees and crawl to the hole in the wall, holding in his increasing pain by keeping in his breath. He endured his pain, keeping down his cries. Getting to Ara was his top priority now, saving her was the only thing he could think about in this moment. At long last, he was able to pull himself over the edges and through the gaping gap, only to collapse after entry; he was slightly out of breath, however there was no time for stopping. Picking himself up, Jack started to take the route that Ara and Natasha took, hoping not to be too late. He staggered through the corridors, holding onto the walls for support, making his way to his love.. 

By the end of her tale, Ara's eyes were in danger of watering, tears threatening to attack her trembling face. But no! She must not give into her tears, knowing that it would ruin everything that she had to force out of her mouth. Every word had hurt to say, no word giving Jack credit. However there was no other way to save him, lying through her teeth was the only way to go. 

Natasha was looking at her with such a profound expression, leaving Ara to shrink away her, slightly afraid that she would lash out and demand the truth. Although luck seemed to be on Ara's side and Natasha's face relaxed from her tension. The vile woman nodded once and turned away for a few seconds, maybe to process what Ara had told her? She didn't know but soon enough she was beckoned to follow Natasha into the metallic hallway. Their steps echoed through the walls, their casual pit-pat filling the somewhat empty tunnels with the only sound that could be made. The tunnel stretched on for what seemed like forever, never seeming to have an end. But of course, no characteristics of a building could have this, at least not in the real world. Everything was the same, from the metal of the floors, to the blinding light cast onto the walls. Until, as if a break in the pattern, a small shadow crept onto the sloping steel, casting dark unearthly shapes. The two women stand still, backing up slightly, neither knowing what this thing is. After what seemed like an agonizingly long time, Jack staggered into view. Ara let out a silent breath of relief, glad in the knowledge that he was safe. 

"Oh, Ara! I've found you!" he cried out, tears pouring out of his bright, glistening eyes full of happiness. Rounding up the last of his strength, Jack threw himself forward, hugging onto Ara's legs like a toddler would with its mother. Happy sobs came from his mouth, tears soaking Ara's trousers. A longing to comfort him washed over her, to kneel down with him, to place her arms around his broad body, to stroke his curly, messy, untamed hair, to kiss his forehead.. But Natasha was looking over at her, raising an eyebrow. She sighed silently, knowing what the excuse of a woman wanted to see. Readying herself to ruin all that they had together, Ara summed up all of the bitterness that she had kept locked up inside a deep, dark corner of her conscience and brought it all up to her mouth, addressing it all, with all the regret a person could feel, to Jake.

"Oh for heaven's sake please do get off of me!"