"Add them to the list," I sigh, chewing on the inside of my lip as I look up into Beau's jade eyes. Burris' words then echo through my mind; I think he would be happy that you decided to move forward with your life, with that fact that you're happy.

"What is it?" Beau asks gently, a single curl falling into his eyes as he gazes down at me with open concern. The urge to brush the curl from his eyes has me lift my hand slightly, but I quickly decide against the idea and turn toward my room.

"Nothing-it's nothing," I say awkwardly, cursing myself when my voice trembles slightly.

I need to get away from him immediately, I can't be trusted to have a coherent conversation with a man at three am in the morning.

"I'm going to try and go back to bed," I lie, my hands fumbling through the pockets of my black sweatpants and latching onto the gold key to my room. After I twist the key into the lock of the door, I turn towards Beau slightly but don't dare to look up at him.

"Goodnight," I say softly, before opening my door and letting it click quietly behind me.

I see Beau's shadow from underneath the door pause for a few seconds, before it disappears, and I hear the door next to mine also click shut. Heaving out a heavy sigh, I toss the key onto the top of my dresser.

When I reach back into my pocket to grab my phone, my fingers brush against the pack of cigarettes instead. I withdraw the tattered package and walk towards the bathroom, chucking it into the trashcan beside the sink.

After they land with a soft thunk, I take in a deep breath and turn towards the sink to splash some cool water on my face.

I'm definitely not going to get any sleep after that nightmare, I think as the water drips down from my cheeks. I grab the grey towel beside me to wipe my face dry, before walking over to my bed and flopping down onto the plush sheets.

I lie there for a few seconds wondering what I should do until I have to get ready for the day, when I remember the book I'd brought to read on the airplane. I push off from my bed and walk over to the wooden dresser on the other side of my room, pulling the top drawer open and retrieving the novel with a sleek black cover.

"Love in Paris," I read out loud, remembering I had quickly grabbed the book off the shelf in my room before leaving home for the plane ride. I frown and glare at the book, of course I had to pick this one...

I consider setting the book back down and finding something else to do, but laziness overtakes me and I take the book back to my bed.

When the golden rays of the sun crept through the glass panel of my room's balcony door, I decided to set the book down and pad over to my balcony. I wanted to feel the cool press of the Parisian air on my skin and watch as the sky brightened from dark to light to welcome a new day.

My fingers curl around the handle of the sliding glass door, before I yank it open and step out onto the concrete balcony. I walk up to the metal railing and set my hands down on it, leaning forward to watch the empty street below. A soft breeze blows through my short raven hair as I set my chin into the palm of my hand.

It felt, good, to be alone for once.. I tap my finger against my lip as the pear-colored trees below begin to dance in the wind.

A sigh escapes my lips as my mind wanders to the last time I had came out onto this balcony, and how the mere sound of an ambulance sent me spiraling... which of course had to happen when Beau was standing on the balcony right beside me.

I frown and glance over to the empty balcony as I think of him barreling into my room and pulling me away from the edge before I could fall, then comforting me in my moment of panic.

I suppose he reminds my quite a bit of Greyson, with his compassionate nature and inability to be selfish when it came to another's pain. I can't think of a single moment where he didn't help me in my time of need, even though I have been quite the asshole to him.

You don't find many people who are like that, I think to myself, as I cross my arms and lean forward against the railing. I suppose Burris fits that type as well, though he's more aggressive when it comes to finding a solution for the pain.

My lips curve up when I remember the very first day he began training me as an I.S.A.I.A agent. I wasn't used to combat because my previous occupation required me to be fit to help people, not hurt them. I was terrible when it came to judging whether to throw a punch, or execute a roundhouse kick to incapacitate my opponent.

Burris had quite a lot to work on, but never once did he lose his patience with me. He believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself, and he helped motivate me through the times that I felt waking up in the mornings was pointless.

To be quite honest, without that man... I might not be here today.

Living without Greyson was like living without oxygen in my lungs. I didn't have a breath of fresh air to energize me, or help me think clearly. I was alive... but I wasn't living. It felt like I was just going through the motions of the day with no purpose, wondering if it would be the best to just end it all...

Burris quickly snapped me out of that mentality by working me to the bone. He was dealing with Greyson's death as well, so he was helping me cope the only way he knew how to; throw yourself so deep into your work, that you don't have time to think or worry about the past or the future.

I would wake up at daybreak, go on jogs around the Blue Jay Sector complex, then engage in physical exercises with my fellow trainees. We would do push-ups, pull-ups, deadlifts, and obstacle courses. Then after lunch, Burris would begin training us in combat: training us for every and any situation that might come our way.

He taught us how to think on our feet, but also how to not think and just react. He taught us how to lead, follow, work as a team, and incapacitate the enemy. He's the best teacher I've ever seen, and without him, I'd be nowhere near where I am today.

I glance back down to the street below me, my eyes widening slightly when I see Beau and Agent Parks walking down the sidewalk together. Agent Parks has on one of those black athletic collared jackets that zip up to your neck, along with black leggings. Her long brunette hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, which swings from side to side as she suddenly stops just below my balcony and crosses her arms.

"I don't understand Beau! We used to be so close in training, unstoppable when we led missions together. But ever since they made that hothead mission leader with you, you've cut me off!" Agent Parks snaps, glaring at Beau.

My eyes flick over to Beau, who's wearing the same black jeans from last night, though now he has on a beige sweatshirt and brown boots. His face is turned away from the balcony and towards Agent Parks, but from the way his shoulders are tense and his hands are thrust into his pockets, I can tell he's not enjoying the exchange.

"I didn't cut you off because of her, Luc! You cheated on me with Agent Carter for godsakes!" Beau exclaims, running a hand through his hair as Agent Parks' glare sharpens. I grit my teeth together, desperately leaning forward as Parks mutters something that I can't quite make out.

"Don't call me that," she snaps back. "And what do you mean I cheated on you? Agent Carter is on a mission in Latvia right now, how could I possibly cheat on you when he's not even here?"

My fingers curl into fists when I see Beau's shoulders begin to shake slightly in rage. "Because I saw you, Lucía! Before he left on his mission, I saw you two kissing in one of the empty lounges on the second level, which was under construction!" I suck in an angry breath when Lucía's mouth gaps open, proving Beau's accusation. "What other reason would you have to be there on a floor that is out of use?"

"How-you saw that?" Lucía gasps, placing a hand on her heart and stepping back slightly, not even trying to deny or lie to Beau. "What were you doing on the second level?"

"Harks tipped me off," Beau says, fuming as he stares the agent down. "Did you forget that we still have cameras on that floor? The moment he saw you two going up to that floor, alone, he called me and asked me to check up on you."

My hand flies up to my lips as I watch Lucía's expression shift into horror. Harks is that cruel? No wonder he scares the shit out of Beau, God that's terrible. I have the sudden urge to dart out of my room and run down to the back entrance doors so I can save Beau from this terrible exchange, but part of me already knows that the damage is done.

Besides, I know how it feels when someone tries to fight your battles for you. I've learned that the best thing you can do for someone is let them fight their own battle, but be there to comfort them in the aftermath.

My fingers curl around the railing as I watch the exchange, knowing that I should probably walk away because this is a private conversation. The only thing that keeps me standing there is the fact that Beau has done so much for me in the past week, and that I want to be here to help him if he needs it.

"Once he left to Latvia, you came back to me like nothing had happened," Beau grits out, his hands clenching into fists as Lucía merely stares at him with wide eyes. "I didn't want to confront you because I would get so... angry just thinking about it, and I didn't want to do something I regret." Beau's head tilts up as he suddenly looks up at her. "But recently, someone taught me that sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and speak your mind, even if it hurts."

I frown as I quickly glance away from the two. Was I the one to teach him that? When I glance back down at the pair, Lucía has crossed her arms and plastered a cruel look of rage on her face.

"So that's it? We're done?"

"Yes, Lucía." Beau seethes, his voice low enough to where I can barely make it out. "We've been done for quite a while."

Lucía's hands curl into fists as she scowls at Beau. "Fine, but I know the real reason why you're cutting me off."

"And why is that?" Beau says evenly, staring Lucía down as her lip begins to curl in disgust.

"Because of Agent Medley! Ever since you carried her through the medbay doors with a bullet in her shoulder, you've been obsessed with her!"

Wait, he carried me? I think horrifiedly, as Lucía lets out a humorless laugh below.

"She cracked on her first day here with that pathetic panic attack, do you really think someone that weak is fit to lead a mission?"

My teeth grind together in rage, my knuckles whitening as I clutch the railing before me. I almost open my mouth to defend myself and blow my position, when Beau beats me to it.

"Yes, actually, I do. Harper is one of the strongest women I've ever met. She doesn't let anyone fight her battles; she can think on her feet and take down five assassins alone, and despite it not always being appropriate, she always has the guts to speak her mind." Beau suddenly steps towards Lucía determinedly and points a finger at her. "I admire her because she doesn't take anyone's shit, and I'm done taking yours. Now get out of my sight, Agent Parks."

Lucía grits her teeth as she seems to be torn between fighting back and walking away. Something in Beau's expression must frighten her, because she quickly backs off and turns away. "Mark my words Allard, you'll regret this!" she calls over her shoulder, her lime-colored eyes bright with fury as she walks away. "Don't come crying to me when she gets herself, and eventually you, killed!"

"Tch," Beau spits, shaking his head as he begins to turn. My heart leaps in my chest when he suddenly turns towards me, his jade eyes flicking up to mine as his face rapidly pales.