'Ello loves! So, this is a very very late update but it's here! I've been working all day shifts lately and haven't had a chance to finish this chapter... until now. 

Anyways, enjoy this chapter! Stay tuned for news about my next update!

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The next morning, I wake up before Camryn. Throughout the night we both shifted positions. I've ended up with my head laid back on the arm of the couch and my right arm flung out over the edge of the cushions. My left arm is still wrapped tightly around my girlfriend's waist. Camryn's head is resting comfortably on my shoulder, her hair spread over her face and down her arm. Her mouth hangs open and her lashes are still slightly damp with tears. Her cheeks are rosy and flushed still from the emotional exertion of last night. In other words, she looks absolutely adorable. I delicately brush the hair out of her face and kiss her forehead. Camryn sighs and nestles further into my shoulder. Her eyelids begin to flutter and her brilliant green eyes open to meet my hazel irises. She gives me a sleepy smile and I rest my cheek on the top of her head. We hold this position for a moment, content to just sit together and enjoy the peace. We both know we can't have it for long. 

After what seems like too short a time, Camryn lifts her head up and brushes her lips across mine. I'm startled at the contact for an instant. Camryn must be feeling bold this morning. 

"Good morning," she says. 

"Good morning to you, too," I say. Camryn climbs off of me and stands up, stretching her arms into the air while yawning. I also begin to loosen my sleep-ridden muscles. I haul myself off of the couch and amble into Camryn's small kitchen to attempt to make breakfast. I rustle through her fridge and find a half dozen eggs and a pack of bacon. I start frying them on the stove and, as I expected, Camryn follows her nose to the kitchen as the scent begins to waft through the apartment. 

"It smells great in here," she says and comes to join me at the stove. 

"What can I say, I'm just a natural chef," I say. Camryn laughs and takes another whiff of the meal I'm preparing. The bacon finishes frying and I scoop it out of the greasy pan and onto a plate. The eggs join the bacon on the plate soon after and I carry it out onto the couch so we can eat together. 

"So, what's the plan for today?" I ask Camryn as she slowly starts to consume all of the bacon. 

"I was going to ask you the same thing," Camryn answers without making eye contact. She's dodging the question. I know she's still going back and forth about our risky rescue mission in her head and I want to give her time to think. The only problem with that is that the One still has my brother and I still want to go break him out of whatever place the One has him in. The One told me to meet him in the alleyway tonight which doesn't leave either of us much time to really think things through. 

"Well," I say slowly. "I was thinking we should get together at Harvel's again, because as much as I want to just stay here with you here, we've got other things to deal with." Camryn lays her head on my shoulder and licks the grease off her fingers before responding. 

"I was afraid you were going to say that," she says. "But, you're right. We need to go and get your brother back from the One." 

"You're sure about this?" I ask. I know she's still unsure about this whole thing and I don't want to rush her into a decision in any way. 

"Yes, I'm sure. It's your brother. I'm not going to get in the way, but I'm not going to help you either on this one. I'm staying here until things blow over. I'll keep in touch with an earpiece," Camryn says. I nod, understanding her decision even though I don't like it. Camryn is the person who usually keeps me sane through things like this. She's my rock; she always knows what to do in situations when I tend to lose my head. 

"Okay," I say begrudgingly. I'll dearly miss Camryn's help with this but she's free to make her own choices. 

"Do you want to come to Harvel's with me then? Or do you want to stay here?" I inquire. 

"I'll stay here," she says. "Don't worry about me; you've got much bigger fish to fry." 

"You sure you're okay?" I ask one more time, just for good measure. 

"Kaze, I'm fine," Camryn says, smiling. "Go over to Harvel's and figure out what you're going to do. I've got some calls I need to make and I'll be in touch with the earpiece." 

"Okay," I say, getting up off the couch. I walk to the kitchen and scrub the plate clean of all the left-behind grease before going to say good-bye. Camryn is waiting for me at the door. She puts her arms around my neck and I wrap mine around her waist. We rock back and forth together a little bit in front of her door. 

"I probably won't see you until after you've met with the One," Camryn says. "So, who knows when that will be." 

"Yeah," I say, trailing off. Camryn lays her head on my chest and sighs. I set my chin on the top of her head. The desire to kiss her again returns. Now that I've gotten a taste, I want more. I muster my courage and ask her for what I want. 

"Do I get a kiss for good luck?" I say in a sort of joking tone. Camryn, smiling, lifts her head off my chest. She makes eye contact with me and I immediately know her answer. I lean down as she moves towards me. Our lips meet in the middle with a pleasant collision. This kiss is different from the one we shared last night. It's calmer and more exploratory instead of emotional and tear-filled. Camryn's lips taste like her signature citrus scent as well as a touch of mint from the toothpaste she must have used. I feel like I could get lost here, kissing her, and just stay in this position for hours. We linger here for a few more seconds before Camryn pulls away. 

"Be safe," she says. "Good luck." I give her one last hug and a kiss on her forehead. 

"See you soon," I say. "That's a promise." Camryn nods. Then, against my will, I walk out of the door to go to Harvel's.