I can't apologize enough for not updating the past two years. I have been so busy and involved in my school and now I will be graduating this year, so you know the stress is to the max. I can honestly say thank you to everyone who still read my story and even reviewed it; it's because of you all that this chapter and the continuation of Anything Thieves Can Do, Spies Can Do Better.

I won't stress too much on why I've been absent but I am picking this story back up, the updates will still be off but I'm officially off of my unofficial hiatus.

SO ON TO THE CHAPTER

Disclaimer: Ally Carter is still in control of this series I just control my story sadly.

Chapter 17 of ANYTHING THIEVES CAN DO SPIES CAN DO BETTER

Cammie POV

Macey McHenry wasn't the first person I expected to see from Gallagher, in my head I imagined looking at a pair of sea green eyes first; however, he apparently isn't as Goode as he thought. I wouldn't say that seeing Macey was bad, but I knew she'd be a distraction and force me to return.

Hale was giving me a look like he finally figured out the missing puzzle; I know he's smart and would remember me from the museum months ago, yet I trusted him for some reason. I'd rather stare at him than Macey whose face was hard to determine, she couldn't figure out if she was mad or happy to see me.

"Hey Macey." No other words would or could be said to sum up every mixed emotion that had erupted. I had been gone for months and contemplated in my head the scenarios where I'd run into a friend, but I was too confidant in my chameleon status to realize I was off my game.

"No, you can't just 'Hey Macey' me after everything you've done Cameron. I've been worried sick, I even started to form worry lines, but do you care? Probably not, and Hale if you think my friend is here with you then why didn't you call me?" Macey's voice elevated and drowned out the TV playing in the background. My face deflated and just walked to the bed.

Hale's head turned towards me and I could see his expression clearly, he could feel my own pain, and just how hurt Macey's words were.

"Lay off her McHenry, if you were such a good friend then you would've found her long ago." Hearing those words roll of the billionaires tongue made my heart skip a beat. It had been a while since someone had stuck up for me. Sure there was my family but lately all they had done was push me to the side in a protective circle; the constricted atmosphere forcing me to leave. Zach was a different story, his lies had caught up to him and me, the betrayal I felt seeing his mother appear before us would be hard to ignore. Some part of me still longed for him, but we hadn't formed a strong enough relationship to withstand the long-distance.

I looked to Macey and sighed with defeat, "Look I know your upset Macey, but you of all people should understand my reasons. All those times where you left Secret Service because you can't stand the overbearing protection and know you can do this yourself. That's how I felt, I understand I left but that was my decision to do so."

With every word said, Macey's strong demeanor faded until all that was left was the Senator's daughter. I knew she hated being reminded of her social status, being at Gallagher had changed her from the spoiled-brat she walked in as to a sister.

Hale the mediator of the situation stepped in, "Okay you guys need a break, I get you've run away and can tell it's dangerous and I know how Macey feels and it's hard. However, Macey I can also relate to Cammie, I left everyone behind because at the time it's what was needed. You guys need to figure this out because I can already tell you my crew is searching for us and you." Hale looked at me as I sat on the bed he turned to look at Macey whose back was turned.

Macey spun around and I could see the tears in her eyes, daring to fall but never would a McHenry show that much emotion, especially in front a hot guy. She stepped closer to me as Hale stepped out into the hall.

"I've really missed you Cammie." Macey ran and gave me a hug, the tears I'd been holding back rushed down my face as I hugged one of my best friends. The feeling of holding my sister in my arms overwhelmed me, I'd thought long on what I'd do when I returned and assumed I'd jump straight into mission mode and get to work on taking down the Circle. But standing there in my friends arms I could only do everything to make sure I didn't crash from the sensation of holding one of my own.

I'd only known Macey since sophomore year, and even then she was horrible; however, standing there at that moment I'd never felt closer to anyone else. Seeing such a familiar face after months gave me hope that everything could return to the way it was before that day on the roof.

My voice was caught in my throat as words tried to flow, "I've missed you and everyone Macey, but you know I had to, everything was too much." I could feel her head nodding against me and understood no matter how hard the decision was, any one of us would've left if it meant protecting our sisterhood.

We pulled apart and I simply looked and saw how much Macey had changed. Her nose ring was gone, her hair had lost its shine (only by a little), her eyes were darkened with a strange look, and she had grown fit. It hurt to see that life had moved on while I was away, my dream of returning back to normal faded the moment stepped into that secret corridor outside of Gallagher.

A thought ran through my head and my worries increased, "Macey be honest how is everyone? Is my mom okay? How are Bex and Liz? Mr. Solomon awake? How's Zac-".

The name was caught in my throat as my mind wandered to the boy I'd left behind. Some part of me was happy he would finally know how I felt every time he performed a disappearing act, but somehow I always knew he'd returned. It could be because it was before a time where I realized I was on a terrorist groups most wanted list; there was never the worry that we could leave, and one of us wouldn't return back complete.

Her gaze softened as she understood the feeling of longing for someone that we couldn't reach, Macey wasn't as hard everyone assumed, yet only Preston was able to understand the depth of personality.

"He's fine, I don't know if I can give you his mental and emotional status because last I saw he was still a manhunt for you. He hasn't stopped and barely sleeps, we all get texts from him weekly about new leads. He really does love you Cam." The l-word seemed foreign to me, I had yet to hear come from a loving couples lips in years. My mother had no husband to say it to, and going to an all-girls spy school meant none of us had big social lives that included boyfriends.

I screwed up with Josh, not in the fact that he was bad, but we would have never worked out. I thought I was grown and could love at my age; nevertheless, my mother and our CovOps exam proved our relationship was irresponsible.

I nodded my head, my tears drying up "That's good, really it is." I could barely believe my own words, the image of Zach popped in my head only to be replaced by Hale who walked in the room. "Macey I'm sorry your mom is looking for you, apparently they want to leave soon." Hale could tell the atmosphere was tense and those word caused my heart to break.

This is why I didn't return home or contact anyone, seeing or just talking to someone from Gallagher would make me want to abandon my mission.

"Alright," Macey sniffled "I'm leaving, but take care of her Hale." Macey gave me one last hug and slipped a burner cell and number into my pocket, I could guess whose number she gave me. I looked at her with a small smile and stood there as one of my best friends disappeared for who knows how long.

The door shut and Hale looked at me apologetically, I quickly wiped my tears and went to change in the bathroom. I looked at my image and the sight of colored hair and contacts disgusted me. I took out of the contacts and was ecstatic to see my eyes staring back at me, not some fake lenses. A smile formed on my face as I touched my hair and turned on the shower.

Hale POV

Arianna, or I guess I should start mentally calling her Cammie, went into the bathroom and I heard the water running. I sat in the exact same spot she did before and reviewed the last hour in my head. Macey's face as she walked out was a mix between joy and sorrow. The anger had retreated from her face, and I could tell the sight of Cammie gave her hope for a better tomorrow.

I couldn't imagine how Kat must've felt when I ran out, so I pulled out my phone to check for messages and was confused. There were multiple calls but not within the past 30 minutes, the idea that something else preoccupied them confused me. Kat wouldn't have let this go unless what she found was serious.

I was in the middle of opening my phone when the water cut off. Soon after a figure stepped out I finally saw the real Cammie, she was beautiful before, but seeing her in her natural state showed her real self. Gone was Arianna, the emancipated runaway, no here was Cammie, a spy on the run from something dangerous.

Her light brown hair possessed natural highlights that reflected each individual colors of her eyes. The mixture of blue, green, and brown was perfect into creating this mysterious gaze that could make you freeze where you were. Her hair had a slight wave to it and cascaded down her back, creating a ripple effect. Overall she was pretty and was in her own skin.

She looked at me nervously when I realized I was staring, I coughed and covered up my hand looking back down to see my phone still silent filled with old-new messages.

"Umm, we should probably get ready for bed. Who knows what tomorrow may hold." She was quick to end my staring and I just nodded my head slightly. I looked back at the bed and realized I was on hers and not my own.

"We can talk if you need to." The words surprised me as the invitation exited my mouth into the air. She looked at me with an unrecognizable look, and I could only look into her kaleidoscope eyes, drowning in the beauty.

I don't know what possessed me, but soon I was leaning forward and looked back down at her lips. I gazed back to her eyes to find her own on my lips, I took the invitation and moved closer my eyes sliding shutting as our lips touched.

I've kissed girls before, Kat mainly but still girls, but I knew this was different. I knew I still loved Kat and she was still in love with this guy Zach, but I'd only ever really been with Kat, I didn't know what it meant to like a girl simply because of looks.

We continued to kiss and her mouth moved against mine, our bodies moved closer and her hands went to my hair ruffling it up. My arms slipped around her waist and soon she was almost on top of me. We continued to kiss and then stopped together, our breathing was heavy and I could only stare at her.

"I don't know what overcame me." She tried to give me an excuse and I couldn't give her one either. I felt guilty knowing I'd just kissed another girl, and from her expression she could feel her own betrayal.

I nodded my head, "It's okay, we can just ignore everything, and forget it happened." From the look of her face we both knew it wouldn't be hard to ignore. There were no feelings behind the kiss, yes it was heated but there nothing there. Sure she was pretty, heck she was beautiful, but there's more a girl than looks and the girl for me is Kat. I could see Cammie's gaze drift off as she daydreamed about Zach I presume.

I laid down in bed and looked at her, "Might as well go to bed, turn off the lights?" She snapped her head towards me at my voice, returning to the land of the livng. "Uh year sure." She responded and turned around reaching for the lamp.

"Hey Hale, would you mind if I sleep in your bed? I've been going through some tough nights." The hesitance behind her words matched the uneasy look on her face, it was bright red and covered by her hair.

My eyebrows furrowed, "You seemed fine the other two nights." I questioned her request thinking back to the two soundless nights.

"The night I spent at your house I was dead tired, it was the first time I'd slept on a real bed in months, and last night I took something to help me sleep, but ran out." Her explanation made sense, and I could see the desperation in her eyes. Kat suffered nightmares some nights, mainly of her mother and Taccone; I'd even had a few of my own and know that physical contact makes the fears drift away.

I nodded my head and laid back down opening up the covers for her to enter; she crawled in instantly relaxed. I could hear her breathing, if I wasn't trained I would think she was asleep, but her heartbeat gave it away. The sound of her thumping heartbeat somehow soothed me like a lullaby.

My eyes drifted shut as I drifted into dreams of Kat.

Cammie POV

I heard Hale's breathing deepen and turned to look at him; his face was peaceful and almost childlike. I thought back to our moment and was confused. Why would I kiss him when I thinking about Zach. To be honest I wasn't even sure if the Zach I fell in love with was the same as the one now.

I'm. In. Love. With. Zach.

I couldn't believe it, but somehow it was undeniable that my overwhelming and confusing feelings could be summed up into one word, love. I knew I'd messed up and would have to do so much to make up for it, starting with admitting my mistake to him; there was no point in hiding the session from him I just had to be ready for the repercussions.

Hale began to snore softly and I chuckled at the sound, thinking of Bex's loud rumble at night. I turned inward towards the body heat and closed my eyes. The beautiful green eyes of the man I love popping into my head, and his calm, sarcastic voice singing me to sleep.

Ok that was long! Yes I know Macey was OOC, but in my defense I wanted her walls to breakdown, trust me she'll go back to hardcore Macey when we see her again.

Don't worry I am a full on Zammie shipper; however, I felt this was needed. Hale and Cammie both made a mistake but that was it a mistake that they are going to own up to. This is really the only thing I'm going to add. Otherwise they will become like best friends the way I see it. It'll be that classic fanfiction best friend that you could sleep on but not even care about like that.

I know it's been forever and this won't be the end. I will return and will officially try to do monthly maybe even shorter every now and then.

Can I tell yall something I honestly don't remember as much as I used to so please if I mess up the plot correct me. I have the whole series and can look it up but still. I love how even after 3 years I could jump back into writing this. The Gallagher Girls started my love for reading, I probably wouldn't even be on here if it wasn't for them so yay!

If you don't watch The 100 please do! I've seen so many of my friends watch and love it. Only two seasons and season 1 is not Netlfix. Poll is still up and if anyone has good 100 fanfics please send them to me, preferably Bellarke only!

Thanks, until next month!

~~~Smurfy0001