The next few mornings Beau and I went on our morning runs around the nearby garden just as we planned. Today, the tall Horse Chestnut trees glow a deep emerald color in the rays of the sunlight, as the thin blades of grass beneath our feet give a lit squish as we trot forward.

I glance over to Beau, who dawns his classic brown leather jacket today, as there's a slightly colder chill in the air. He has a single earbud in his left ear, just as I share the right one. Over the past few days we had learned that we both had a similar tastes in music. I really love 80s American rock music, which I've learned that Beau loves as well, surprisingly.

Yesterday during our morning job, Beau had revealed that his mother is American, and that she had met his French father on a college trip to Disneyland in his hometown of Paris.

The two had hangout together during her trip, and then when Beau's mother had to fly back to Flordia America, she gave Beau's father her mailing address so the two could write letters. And, as Beau told me, they fell in love over the next year writing letters together, and Beau's mother decided to move to Paris to explore the job opportunities and be closer to his father. A few years later, the two married, and as Beau says, the rest is history.

A sudden question struck me, and I dug my phone out to click pause on the Fleetwood Mac song that was blasting through our earbuds. Beau's jade eyes quickly cut to me at the pause, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"Yes?"

We round a corner of the park and adjust our trot so we're running parallel to the Raven Sector complex.

"Do you remember when we were talking about how your parents met yesterday morning, and how your mom decided to move in with your dad and live in Paris?"

Beau nods, his eyebrow-raising the slightest bit more. "I do."

"Well, it didn't occur to me to ask until now, but do you have any siblings?" I ask, thinking of my own little sister back home. A slight pang of guilt hammers when I realize that I haven't even told her that I'm in Paris right now, much less have talked to her in the last few weeks.

I really should call her soon, I wonder how high school is going. I'm sure she'd be thrilled to hear that I'm currently in Paris.

"Yes actually, I have a younger brother who is also an agent," Beau answers, interrupting my thoughts.

Now I lift an eyebrow. "He is also an agent? How come I haven't seen him around the Raven Complex?"

My long ponytail swishes back and forth as we increase our pace slightly and turn another corner, now running towards the complex.

"That's because he went to Spain with a few of your Raven Sector agents to infiltrate the base there. I was supposed to go too, but Superior Harks decided he wanted me to lead the mission here." Beau says, turning his eyes to the complex before us. I can tell by the slight frown tugging at his lips that he's not entirely satisfied with staying put.

"Did you want to go with your brother on that mission?" I ask gently.

Beau presses his lips together in a thin line, before he answers. "Yes and no. My brother and I usually do missions together, so it has been very odd not having him by my side to help me think through things... he's quite coherent in that way. He's more logically based, whereas I tend to act more on my emotions. It's been a little hard not having him by my side to help me see the logical decision in a situation.

But, I am glad Superior Harks decided to give me a shot at being mission leader, though it came quite sudden and as a shock to both me and my brother. If anything, I would've thought that he would've gotten the position and I would've been the one shipped of to Spain."

"And why is that?" I ask, as we jog to a stop next to a light grey bench. We're both panting, and after a single mutual look, we both sink onto the bench and rest a second to catch our breaths.

"Well, as I said earlier, my brother is a lot more logical than I am... usually the type of person that Harks would put in charge. We were both shocked that I was picked instead of him, but I think deep down my brother was looking for a way to leave the country for a bit." Beau runs a hand through his thick curls and lets out a stressed breath.

"Why would he want that?" I ask gently, twisting a strand of my black hair around my finger as I wait for Beau to answer.

"Well, our mother has been quite sick recently, which has made our father a lot more... irritable and anxious. Naturally, this emotional response annoys my brother, so the two got into it a few weeks ago and my brother has been avoiding him ever since."

"But why is your brother so angry at your dad? He's just worried about your mom, your brother shouldn't hold that against him." I argue. I don't give a shit how logical he is, he shouldn't be so angry with his distressed father.

I know what it's like to lose a parent, and it does no good to be angry with others who are also grieving.

"I agree, which is why I think that perhaps him taking some time away is a good thing. Hopefully he'll return from his mission with a clear head, and come to his sense... he always does after all." Beau sighs, and I notice he has started chewing on the inside of his lip.

"Well, I'm sure things will turn out." I attempt to comfort, giving him my most encouraging smile.

Beau laughs and shares my smile, before leaping to his feet. "I hope you're right. Now, we have three days until Harks evaluates you to return back to the field. Yesterday and Tuesday we brushed up on your target practice, and got you a little more familiar with guns, so what do you say we try some hand-to-hand combat today? We can also work on the whole closeness thing that bothers you."

I nod and get up as well, as we begin to walk back towards the complex. "Alright, sounds like a plan."

Beau shares my nod as we walk, before glancing at me from out of the corner of his jade eyes. "Hey, you haven't had any panic attacks since last Monday right?"

I can't help but smile triumphantly. "Nope, Rene has been helping me with exercises that help me in the event of one. I just have to be aware of my triggers, and act quickly if I want to prevent any attacks."

"That's wonderful! Now we just need to work on this closeness-thing, and get you used to guns being pointed at you again... geez that sounds terrible when I say that last part out loud." Beau chuckles, his accent growing a little heavy at his excitement.

I surprise myself as a giggle pushes past my lips before I can stop it, the noise sounding foreign on my tongue. My God, perhaps I'm getting a bit too comfortable with Beau. Being around him for hours at a time, just the two of us, has made us quite friendly. I work my jaw at the guilty feeling that settles in my heart, as I try to push away that thought of him.

I can remember the last time I was ever close to another man, besides him... it feels wrong, like I'm betraying him.

I shiver at a sudden gust of cold wind, realizing just how long it's been since I've heard his voice inside my head, panicking a little bit when a certain thought strikes me.

What if I'm already moving on? What if I'm starting to forget him?

My head bobs slightly as my throat makes a loud gulping noise when I swallow uneasily, drawing Beau's attention to me.

"What's wrong?" he asks, raising an eyebrow as we cross the street towards the complex and walk up to the back doors. I can tell that his jade eyes see right through me, just like that day I woke up on a medical cot, and he asked me why I had jumped in front of him to save his life. Thank God he hasn't asked me about that since... although I'm sure the question will eventually come up again.

"It-it's nothing," I mutter, rubbing my hands up and down my arms to try and get rid of the coolness that clings to my skin. I hear a rustle of movement beside me, but I don't dare to look over, worried that if I meet Beau's jade eyes he'll just see right through me and be able to read me like a book.

A second later, a blanket of warmth wraps around me as a smooth and warm material drops onto my shoulders. I look down to see that it's Beau's tawny-colored leather jacket.

My eyes quickly dart to Beau, who is still walking beside me as if nothing's happened, his hands in his pockets.

"I know we don't know each other very well," he begins, finally glancing over to me as the jacket hangs awkwardly from my shoulders. "But I still worry about you Harper, and I can see that you carry a great... fardeau on your shoulders. I know I've already said it before, but I want you to believe me when I say it... I really wish that one day you would feel comfortable enough to trust me. I hope that one day you'll eventually decide to let someone help you carry that burden, even if it's not me. No one deserves to be so alone that they feel like they can't turn to anyone to help them."

I tug the jacket further around my shoulders as I soak in his words, the uncomfortable coolness on my skin turning slightly warmer. Beau opens the door to the complex for me as we stop in front of it, tilting his head slightly to the side when I don't step through.

"I-thank you, Beau," I say softly, still feeling a tinge of awkwardness in the air, but when I look into Beau's sincere jade eyes I can relax a little. "I hope that one day I'll be able to do that too, but I also know that it strengthens me to carry the load I bear, and I..." deserve it, I finish but don't dare to say out loud.

My shoulders drop slightly as I remember that it's my fault he died, and that it would be unfair to make someone else share the pain of my mistakes... they are my mistakes after all.

We stand there in silence, as Beau grapples with how he should respond, but I quickly put on a fake smile and press my shoulders back. "Anyways, how about we go in? I'm ready to kick your ass."

Beau laughs as I step through, though I can tell a touch of sadness lurks in his eyes. "Yeah right, last time I had you pretty good."

"Originally you did, but then I quickly flipped the tables and showed you who's boss," I smirk, and Beau opens his mouth to retort, but suddenly stiffens beside me, his eyes locked onto something in front of us.

My eyes dart up to see Superior Harks staring at us with his hands clasped behind his back, the corner of his lip raising slightly. His dark blue eyes seem to darken as he takes in Beau and I, before Beau awkwardly clears his throat from beside me.

"Hello Sir, on your way out for the day?"

Harks dark eyes never stray from mine as he nods his head, his raven hair slanting forward slightly. "Yes actually, but I wanted to check in on Miss Medley here and see how her training was progressing," he says, looking expectantly at me.

I raise my chin to show that he doesn't intimidate me, cocking my head to the side and staring at him just as intently as he is at me. "My training is coming along very well, thank you very much. I should be able to pass your little... evaluation with ease."

"Oh, is that so?" Harks drawls, a hint of acid in his tone as one of his eyebrows lifts slightly. "If you are so confident in your abilities, how about we have a little evaluation right now?" he baits, and I can tell by the look in his eyes that he doesn't expect me to actually agree.

His dismissive expression irks me, and without thinking I open my mouth to agree to his little challenge, but Beau quickly cuts me off.

"With all due respect sir, but Miss Medley-"

"Quiet boy," Superior Harks snaps, shutting Beau up. "I don't believe I asked you the question."

My rage boils as I see Beau grit his teeth in anger, but his jade eyes flick to mine warningly.

We both know you're not ready, don't make this mistake. They seem to say, but I refuse to listen as my fingers curl into fists and I dare to look back into Superior Harks' murky eyes.

"I would be happy to take your evaluation, Mr. Harks." I challenge, his eyes narrowing when I don't call him by his official title, but he quickly claps his hands and nods with an arduous look in his eyes.

"Very well, I admire an agent stands their ground and steps up to any challenge that arises. Now, if you'll follow me to the sparing room, we'll just how much you've improved Miss Medley," he says, before turning on his heel and striding down the hall, expecting us to follow.

I start after him, but Beau grabs my arm and pulls me back. "Harper, are you sure this is a good idea? We still have a lot to work on," he whispers, my lungs tightening in a warning. I close my eyes and quickly take in a few breaths, grappling to push away any guilt or anger that surfaces.

I open my eyes when the tension in my lungs ease, and give Beau a level glare, gesturing to his hand on my arm. "I think I'm fine, Agent Allard. Now if you would please let me go."

Beau jerks back slightly at the use of such a professional title, before he relents and releases me. "Bon dieu, I sure hope you know what you're doing," he mutters, but I'm already marching after Superior Harks, preparing myself for what's to come.

A/N-

Hey guys, Syd here!

I just wanted to be honest with you all, and let you guys know that I've kinda put writing on the backburner these last two weeks, as life has been crazy... lots of ups and downs if you know what I mean. The good news is I've been promoted at my job in a grocery store, and will now only be working Fridays and Saturdays, so hopefully that'll free up some more time for writing. 

I am going to admit that I have also been a bit unmotivated recently, but worry not! I still fully intend to keep writing Rogue in Paris and at least keep my updating schedule of Tuesdays and Sundays consistent!

Just remember that a little love goes a long way for me, so keep on commenting and voting, and perhaps recommend this book to a friend or two :)

Love you guys!

~Syd 🦋