Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Seth woke with a jolt. The throbbing pain on his shoulder was enough to resuscitate last nights memories back to full throttle. But a soft inhale was enough to ease his worries.

"Hey." His voice was hoarse from disuse. "You're still here," he sounded a lot perkier now through his rough voice. He offhandedly relished her faint but familiar lavender scent. Though he couldn't pinpoint the other note attached to her shampoo, that was a mystery for another day.

"Good. You're awake." A soft but crisp voice broke the silence. The hazy cracking of fire teased his ears, signalling that the little fireplace was lit. "You've been sleeping for the past 6 hours and 42 minutes."

"Did you miss me?" A playful smirk broke out, but his eyes remained shut. His dark lashes fanned out on the tops of his high cheek bones made him look so peaceful. It was also the expression she found the hardest to ignore. Her first line of response was to feather her fingers over his features, to have angles of his face ingrained into her memory. She almost gave into it, knowing that their time together was finite.

His joyful expression stalled once he tried to stretch out his good arm, only to find resistance. The familiar cold steel stung his wrists as he jostled his wrist around, trying to regain its freedom. "You handcuffed me?" His eyes snapped open, and his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He blinked around trying to focus on where the perpetrator might have been.

"Just a simple precaution." He trailed his vision towards the sound of the voice until he saw her. She was slouching on the armchair across from him. Completely at ease as if she belonged there. As if she were within the comforts of her own home.

The very sight was enough to spark wishful thinking. Her gaze was fixated on the window next to her, watching the raging storm carry on without mercy. The sky was still pitch black, leaving no indication of the time.

"Do you really think handcuffing me is necessary?" He swallowed a wince as he swung his legs off the sofa and made way to sit. The change in posture elevated the previous throbbing tenfold. The muscles were sore from working overtime and screaming for more rest. And a proper bed. He'd need to check the wound when he got the time.

"Are you always this inquisitive when you first wake up? You've asked me three questions since you've gained consciousness." She dragged her eyes languidly over him and leaned forward resting her elbows on her knees.

"If you stick around, you'll find out." Contrary to his reply, he looked rather sheepish.

She didn't grace it with a response, instead she decided to change the topic. "You have answers. The faster we do this, the better for you." Her eyes were glowing from the dimly lit fire. The dim kitchen light barely illuminated the room, but Seth didn't need the extra lighting.

Right then and there, she looked almost ethereal. Her dark hair was tied impeccably into a high ponytail, not one strand put of place. Her expression was passive, but her eyes were deep. The swirl of green and blue were cold, yet there was something else inside of them. But the speckles of brown towards the pupils brought in warmth, they acted like beacons to the inner world of what was her and her thoughts. Something she wanted hidden.

"You don't beat around the bush, do you?" Seth angled his body to rest his handcuffed arm against the sofa, careful to keep his other shoulder steady and immobile. "At least buy a guy dinner first." He chuckled, trying to ease the tense environment.

When she didn't give, with a sigh Seth compromised. "At least some coffee? And maybe a bottle of Advil?"

"No to the coffee." She stood up, her movements were practiced and control, barely moving the stagnant air around her. It was only then Seth was able to clearly see her in her element. See her be her true self. "But I'll see what I can do to…" her eyes lazily drew towards his bandaged shoulder, "subdue the pain." And with her parting words she walked out of the living room without a sound.

"You have something against coffee?" Seth yelled out. He already knew exactly which room she sauntered into. His hearing was far more delicate than average, and the fact that the cabin was quite small there weren't much hiding options to begin with.

When he was certain she was in the master bedrooms ensuite, most likely fiddling around with the cabinet for the medicine and extra medical supplies he looked around his surroundings. He noticed the items that were normally within reach was missing or positioned out of reach. He couldn't help but feel amused at her precautionary tactics. She didn't seem to grasp that he was a fast healer, and far stronger than the cuffs she used on him. But first, he needed to gain her trust.

He pressed his fingers into his wounded shoulder, biting his tongue to suppress the hiss he desperately wanted to release from the pain. With careful probing he pressed around until he was confident of his assessment. With a quiet 'hm,' he resumed his previous pose.

When she walked back in, she peered over him with mild distrusting eyes before walking into the kitchen. She pulled out a glass and filled it with water and thrusted it towards him.

"Uhm… sweetheart, I don't know if you know this. But one of my shoulders is busted, and the other hand is kind of hand cuffed to the table." He offered a grin when he saw the annoyance flash through her features. Even when she contemplated her features seemed to draw him in. What other faces did she make? The need to collect each memory of her only grew with every waking second, he realised. Imprinting truly every bit as intense as the guys had described.

Her lips pursed into a thin line in obvious displeasure. "You're turning out to be more trouble than you're worth." Contrary to her words, he could see the hint of concern burning through her seafoam and brown speckled eyes. "And don't call me sweetheart."

"I can promise you, I'm worth it." Seth spoke quietly, staring straight into her eyes. "I'd call you by your name if you told me it." He looked up through his lashes innocently. She shifted a bit, unsure how to handle the situation. Something deep down told her he was serious, the faith he exuded made her want to throw down her gun and give in.

Here, was a living breathing puzzle just existing in front of her. A complete paradox if you will. When his name crossed her research, she had automatically scoffed. He was a police officer. He was to be accountable to uphold the law, and she was the very opposite. She was the definition of lawless.

"I gave you a name." He bristled at her comment, muttering under his breath how he knew it wasn't her real name. "You're a lot more confident now." She suspiciously stared at him, her eyes narrowing a fraction of an inch.

The change in manner wasn't something she was aware of from her brief research. Given, it wasn't as if there was a personality assessment boldly written in her findings but his… joyful personality was charming and becoming. And for the first time… this was proving to be rather disarming for her.

She was used danger. The six-letter word, two syllables held a meaning of comfort to her. She was accustomed to it and was prepared her whole life to tackle it. She was bred for it.

Yet, the word was starting to take the definition it was meant to behold. She could feel her resolve melting with every second she spent with him. The fact that his warm chocolate pools didn't hold an ounce of disgust or scorn even after she put a bullet through him was enough to spark…hope.

Hope that perhaps she didn't need to carry on with her plan. Hope that maybe someone could accept her the way she was…

No. This was true danger.

Hope was dangerous. It wasn't something that could be dissected bit by bit and meticulously planned for if it should fail. She internally bristled at her own foolishness and let herself fall back to observing him.

He broke out into a sheepish smile; his cuffed hand was ready to scratch the back of his neck before his movements were halted from the troublesome metal. "Let's just say, you didn't kill me yet. I guess that's enough for me to trust you." Seth chuckled softly.

"You shouldn't trust so easily," she admonished. The words were out before she even noticed. Her eyes widened for a split second before schooling her features once more. She fought the heat threatening to stain her cheeks.

She didn't know what came over her, but she knew she was right. He was too trusting. Gaining his information and spare keys for his apartment was all too easy. A quick walk through the town was enough for the residents to start a whole biography of this man. He was too trusting. He didn't know the world like she did.

She wasn't one to feel pity or really feel in general. But the thought of something, or someone hurting him was enough to chill her bones. The mere thought felt like there were burning coals in her stomach… until she remembered she was being a hypocrite.

Without warning she grasped his chin and lifted his face. Seth's bug-eyed expression only lasted a fleeting second until he saw the glass of water being angled towards his lips. He shot his gaze back on her, relishing the moment of their first semblance of intimacy. Camaraderie even.

Once he had swallowed enough of the liquid, his throat relaxed immensely. But she was already grabbing the bottles of pain killers and popping out two into the bottle cap. She seemed stern but her actions were caring. She paused and waited for him to signal he was ready for more water or ready to swallow the pillows. No words were necessary they seemed to understand each other effortlessly within the short time they've been in each other's company.

Once he swallowed the last of the water, she walked into the open kitchen. As much as he wanted to follow her or question her actions, he allowed him to settle into the sofa. He hoped the slight rest would offer a reprieve from the throbbing pain until the pills kicked in.

Seth didn't realise he had fallen back asleep until her soft hands lightly trailed over his hand. His eyes snapped towards the movement and saw that she had released the cuffs from him.

"You. You're…" Seth sputtered, as he scrambled to cognitively string together words. 'Great, she's going to think I'm illiterate.'

"You seem harmless enough." She straightened out her back and then turned around. "Plus, the pills I gave you should keep you lethargic. I don't see how you would get the upper hand in a condition like that." With a turn of her head she nodded towards the kitchen island and the bar stools.

He only managed a gulp before following suit. His bones cracked from his movements, but the feeling along with the pain killers he'd taken made the stretch feel heavenly. He walked behind her towards the kitchen. His stature easily towered over her and he wasn't even the tallest of the bunch. This only served to confuse him even more. There was no way she could be the predator when she was as small as a prey.

"You cooked?" Seth did a double take from the surprise. "You made me food…" he almost whispered in amazement.

She didn't answer at first but chose to slide into a bar stool across from him. She signalled for him to sit in front of the plated food. She held a fork in her grasp as she patiently waited for him to settle in.

With one swift movement, she leaned forwards and picked up a piece of the hash brown from his plate and popped it into her mouth. Seth only stared slightly mesmerized from the food in front of him. He knew his kitchen wasn't the best stocked since his move to Alaska, but she had managed to make him basic breakfast with whatever that was lying around effortlessly. The smell was enticing, and he couldn't decide if he wanted to relish over the fact that she cooked for him or if he wanted to eat it already.

"See?" She lifted the now-clean fork eye-level. "No poison."

"Hmm?" His eyebrows raised as he lifted his eyes towards her. She was sitting back normally on her stool, her back straight, and her arms neatly positioned on her lap. The fork was placed to her right. "You… I didn't even think of that…"

"Seriously?" She bristled. "I am an intruder in your home. I shot you last night. I then handcuffed and drugged you. Not to mention, I intercepted you in another state. Lied about my identity and then stole from you, and these are the only things you know about. You didn't think to check if the food was poisoned?" Her eyes were narrowed now, Seth wasn't sure if it was from disappointment or confusion.

"Well…" He raised his good arm to scratch the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Well, if you meant to kill me you would have done it already." He gave her a blindingly bright smile.

It was only once he finished his first bite of the food, she spoke up again. "There are different types of poison. Lots of people use poison on their victims before blackmailing them with the antidote." Her steady voice gave no indication of what she was feeling. But Seth could sense she was chastising him for not being cautious.

He nodded sheepishly. "But you didn't, did you?" He angled the fork full of food towards her to point before popping the morsel into his mouth. "By the way, this is amazing."

"Don't speak with your mouth full," she murmured glancing away. "The pills I gave you are strong and need to be consumed with meals. I don't need you having more complications."

Her nonchalant words oddly touched him. He knew she was probably right, and considering they had unfinished business she mostly likely didn't want him collapsing on her. But the way she was unable to hold eye contact seemed to suggest she might have cared for him. Or at the very least, held guilt from last night.

"Of course."

"I have questions and you have answers." She reminded. Seth internally flinched at the words. The faster they talked the faster she would be out of his life.

He had hoped that his back up would arrive soon.

"Fine. But now can I know your name?"

They found themselves back in their previous seats in the living room. She was situated in her armchair by the window. The slight lightening of the scenic view indicated that dawn was edging closer. The storm had calmed to a slight drizzle, the soft splatter against the window lulled them like a calm and comforting embrace.

"I…I don't know where to start." Seth looked somberly into his clasped hands. He was sitting hunched forward, his elbows resting on his knees. It wasn't the ideal position to be sitting in for person with his complications regarding his injury, but he needed to be ready. He needed to be able to reach out in case…

"Who told you?" Her eyes were hard. Calculating.

With pursed lips, he furrowed his eyebrows in regret. "I can't say."

"Was it the Police Department?" She tried to recall if she read any mentions of FBI or CIA connections he had in his file.

"Ha." He couldn't stop the breathless chuckle. "No, the police department isn't aware of...much."

"You have insider informant then." She simply stated. She paused, the gears behind her passive eyes were turning. "Was this a trap then?"

"No." Seth hissed out in surprise. "I mean, no." The words felt uneasy spilling out of his lips. "I...I don't know. I was only supposed to keep the files safe. That's all."

Seth looked a little panicked, he didn't want her to run. "I swear we're not here to hurt you. I just want to help you, that is all."

"What do you know?" She peered at him. She wanted to melt into his sincerity but knew better. She had a job to do, and until she finished it there was no giving up. Even if his intentions were geniune the rest of the world's weren't.

"I don't know any specifcs. I don't know the name of the organization or anything. If that's what you're asking." He looked away abashedly. He didn't have anything concrete. Everything he had said so far wasn't worth it to stick around for. She could feel herself starting to get angry from being too trusting. Too stupid.

"I know that you're different." His eyes held an intensity she hadn't seen before. He held her gaze, unwavering as he continued. He licked his lips and clenched his jaws slightly. The sight was borderline sinful in her eyes.

"I heard how ruthless everyone is…in the… group." He paused scrambling to find the perfect words. "But you've been different."

"I shot you."

"But you also stitched me up. You gave me pain killers, fed me water and cooked for me." His eyes were passionate as he advocated for her. Trying to get her to see that she was different. That she had a choice.

"I was doing what I needed to get my answers." She didn't look impressed, but Seth knew he hit a spot. "How are we ruthless?"

He gulped. He knew she'd catch on to his rather lack of full 'intel,' but he was hoping he'd have a fighting chance. "You guys are like glorified mercenaries on steroids. That's the description I was given."

"Mercenaries," she mirrored. "What do we do?"

"I don't know the details. I just heard some stories. Disrupting CIA operations, bringing down leaderships, murder, framing, kidnapping…the whole shebang."

"Then why didn't you take me in?" She didn't skip a beat. "Why wouldn't you arrest me at the first chance you got? I imagine bringing in a 'glorified mercenary on steroids' as you eloquently put it, would garner good points for someone of your rank. Am I wrong?" She pondered, her head tilting slightly.

Her ponytail pooled down and brushed her arm slightly from the change in position. Seth tried to ignore every physical detail to focus and plan a distraction. But her whole being there was serving as a distraction enough. Somehow, he couldn't piece together a coherent plan.

"Have I read your file wrong?" She raised an eyebrow. "No? Then it's a trap." With that she stood up and pulled out her gun and aimed it towards him. Seth jumped up and raised his hands in defense taking a step closer to her, only to find himself stumble a bit.

"Please you have to believe me." His heart was slowing down. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I just wanna help."

"Don't take a step closer," she warned. The sound of the safety being released sounded loud and clear throughout the space they shared. "Right on time," she muttered as she chanced a glass to the small clock on the wall.

"Right on time for what?" He repeated… his voice was slightly lower than usual. His words were slurring as his vision started to blur. He fought to keep his eyes open but now they seemed heavier than any mineral on the planet.

"What's happening to me?" Seth stumbled backwards, the back of his knees encountering the sofa again. The dissonance from the creeping panic in brain from the calm of his body was only making things worse. He had been drugged. "You said you didn't poison the food."

"I didn't." She didn't look proud, quite the opposite. "I spiked the water. The food was only to prolong the effects until…"

"That's why you fed me the water… To make sure I drank it…" He sounded more heartbroken than in shock. The sound of her betrayal didn't sit well in her stomach. The one bite of food she consumed was threatening to come out.

"Oh, come off it, you said it yourself. We were ruthless." Her eyes were hard, but Seth saw the slight quiver on her lips. She didn't believe her own words, her own rules.

"You're…lie…ing." He whispered as his knees buckled and he fell into the sofa. His head was swimming as the world seemed to circle around him. "I know you… This isn't the life… you w…ant."

And with his parting words he collapsed into the sofa. His chest was moving slowly, indicating he was still alive but deep into grasp of the pills. Her heart shot up at his words. The thought of someone knowing her plan was enough for her to angle the gun towards his head.

She stared at his sleeping face as she mustered up the courage to silence him. Forever.

Her hands shook in, tears gathered at the corners of her eyes. She couldn't do it.

Flicking the safety back on, she shoved the gun into her pants and then walked over to where she hidden her pack. The files were safely tucked and organised in her position. She didn't need to be there a second longer.

She turned her head towards the peaceful image of Seth. Drinking in the sight. Something about him seemed to move her. It was like the mere existence of him sent her focus into a bad case of vertigo. Nothing made sense if he wasn't at the end of the finish line. If he wasn't the goal.

With a new sense of purpose. She pushed the thought aside. She couldn't drag him into her life. It was too dangerous. He was only a stranger, and he would forget her come next week. She was sure of it.

She pushed the front door open, glad the storm had let up for the most part. Her plan was perfect. Stepping out into the drizzle she made her way down the pathway towards the woods. Her rented car was parked a mile away from the house, close to the main road.

She knew turning the car towards the cabin would cause heads to turn but heading towards the popular hiking destination wouldn't cause a stir. With a final glance towards the cabin she made her way into the woods.

However, the familiar echo of a shotgun pumping sounded from behind her.

She closed her eyes in defeat. She was so close.

"Arms up where I can see them."

'Fuck.' She cursed.

With a sigh she dropped her pack and raised her arms, before the crunch of the leaves beneath indicated that the perpetrator was walking towards her. Before she could act, she left a hard blow to the back of her head. Her vision dulled, and her body dropped. The cold from the wet ground was seeping into her. The last thing she felt was her hands being restrained.

She was so close.

Karma was truly a bitch sometimes.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I decided to change the perspective, it was getting harder to show insights on both characters when it's first person.

I hope everyone is safe out there.