The way the assailant was talking about the training. Was he one of them? Somebody like Alex? Judging from his age he had to be a 275-series which was a good thing, it meant he wasn't anything more than Alex other than more trained. "You think you can beat me.... Alex." This wasn't like before, with Oliver, now they were sending his own kind after him, their brainwashed super soldiers. How many more of these guys were there, even if Alex killed this guy, another three would only rise to take his place. It was at this moment that Alex began to realize this would be an endless hunt. He remained motionless other than the slight shake in the hands as he kept the gunpoint focused on the attacker's head, even as he pushed Riley forward and even when he shot her. "Riley!" Alex yelled, but otherwise unfazed, keeping his focus on the man.

He could only watch as the man crouched down and poked at Riley's wound, he was disgusted. "She's got to get to a hospital if I leave here with you. She dies." Alex told him, determined to stand his ground, he had already lowered the gun towards the man's head. Why he hadn't shot him yet, he didn't know. The assailant stood, "Such a pretty girl- shame what happened to Oliver- does she know? That it was you?"

"No." Alex snarled, the gun following the man as he had been standing.

"Come with me, Alex. There is nothing for you here, especially not when she finds out."

Alex stared at the man, his eyes glanced down to Riley and then back to the assailant. "Josh?" He asked, remembering now. This was one of his brothers. Back in that place you were all brother and sister in some respects considering how you shared so much of your genetic build up.

"That's right..." Josh spoke in a low whispering voice almost like a devil, a grin crossing his face, spreading from ear to ear.

Bang. Bang. Alex shot twice, Josh had let his guard down leaving the perfect opportunity, he approached Josh as he lay on the ground and unloaded the rest of the clip into his chest. Making sure he was dead. They may have been brothers but training had taught him one thing, kill or be killed. That was the code Alex knew he had to live by now. Knowing there wouldn't be long before the authorities were called he had to get out of here, thankfully the police seemed to be having a slow day with response times.

Whipping his phone from his pocket with lightening speed he dialed one, Archer was the first on his quick-dial list. "Hey, Alex. What's up? I've got a new le-"

"Archer, get in your car and drive to this address now." He gave Riley's address over the phone, "I'll meet you around the back."

"Hold up. What's goi-?"

"Now! Damn it Archer!" He yelled as he hung up the phone. Alex pulled off his t-shirt, ripping it and using some of the fabric to act as a make-shift tourniquet to stop the bleeding. "Shit..." He whispered, slinging his jacket on, not bothering to zip it up and pulling his motorcycle helmet on to avoid being identified by anyone. Alex picked up Riley and headed down to the back of the building out into the alley way. It wasn't long before Archer came tearing around the corner in his battered SUV, it was one thing he could be recognized for, his reliability. Alex got in the back, laying Riley down on the seat and resting her head on his lap.

"Where to?" He asked not needing to ask anything about what had happened.

"Your guy, the doctor out of town, go, go, go!" They sped off.

Riley was in the same alleyway, why was she back here? Oliver's body lay sprawled out in front of her, the bullets in his head, blood everywhere. So. Much. Blood. Frantically, Riley tried to search for help, who could help her? All she could think to do was run- she didn't know where but she took off, not looking back. She ran until she couldn't no more. She stopped where she was standing and winced. Pain shot through her right side. She lifted her shirt up and gasped when she saw a wound, bleeding, causing her the side pains. Her head felt like it was going to explode. She frantically searched for help as blackness enveloped her again....

Riley sat up, gasping and sweat. She winced and let a small cry of pain out as fiery pain shot up and down her side. She grasped it and noticed that her camisole was tore up to the wound and she was bandaged all the way around. She was laying in an unfamiliar bed, where was she? Did that guy take her? What did he do with Alex? When his name popped in her head, she glowered. Alex. He had Oliver's gun- why? Why did he have his gun, the one that he bought for him herself. Did he kill Oliver and if he did, why? She laid back in whatever bed it was she was in, hand resting on her side. She closed her eyes as the pain very slowly began to subside, just leaving a dull aching now.

"Ah, she's awake!" A older gentleman called out. He wore a white lab coat over a well worn pair of jeans and a fraying jumper. He wore glasses, round frames at the moment they had slid down his nose a little and were only somewhat covering his eyes. Another man that Riley would have never seen (Archer) entered the room closely followed by Alex, his jacket still open and with nothing underneath, his abdominal area blood stained, Riley's blood. "You're lucky these men responded so quickly." The older gentleman spoke up, "A few more minutes and you would have died." He spoke bluntly, shaking his head a little. "Nasty wound, it's going to be sore for a while but you should be okay. And don't worry, everything was sterilized first." He told her before leaving the room, placing a hand on Archer's shoulder before slipping past them and through the doorway.

"Hey..." Alex began, trying to keep a chirpy tone but his tone came across as nervous and it was obvious. He knew there was going to be a lot of questions, Archer was still here as more of support to back up everything Alex was about to tell Riley. They'd decided the best way to do this would be to answer any questions that she had rather than overload her with information and upsetting her more than he needed too.

Approaching the bed Alex sat lightly on the edge, placing a hand on her bandages that covered the wound. He was careful not too apply much pressure. "I guess I have some explaining to do?" He asked, rhetorically, knowing the answer.

Riley jumped when she heard a unfamiliar voice shouting to someone. She glanced at him, her eyes narrowed and cautious. She noticed one man she didn't know, and then Alex, if that was even his real name. Her heart jumped when the man, she figured as a doctor, said if they hadn't got her here when they did she'd be dead right now. She suppose she did have them to thank for that- but not now, maybe when she got some answers to unresolved questions. She ignored Alex when he greeted her, instead looked in the opposite direction away from him. When he mentioned he had some explaining to do, she snorted then looked over to glare at him. "No shit, Sherlock." She said.

She glanced at the man whose name she found out was Archer. "Did he help you murder my fiancee, or was it all your own doing?" She said, her eyes back on Alex. "Or is there another reason you have his gun." She spat. Her side had started to hurt again and her head was throbbing bad. She winced but put the pain aside. "Can we be alone? Please." She snapped at Archer. When he left the room, she raised her arm and slapped Alex, but gasped as pain shot through her side. "Damn it." She muttered, closing her eyes, waiting for the pain to go away. Tears threatened to pour out but she wouldn't get emotional, no, not this time. "Why did you do it, Alex... Oliver admired you- he was going to ask you to be his best man, just for me. To make me happy..." She said in a soft whisper and despite the struggle a tear rolled down her cheek.

The tears was mixed from the physical pain and the emotional pain. She didn't look at him, she couldn't, it just made the emotional pain much worse.

Riley jumped when she heard a unfamiliar voice shouting to someone. She glanced at him, her eyes narrowed and cautious. She noticed one man she didn't know, and then Alex, if that was even his real name. Her heart jumped when the man, she figured as a doctor, said if they hadn't got her here when they did she'd be dead right now. She suppose she did have them to thank for that- but not now, maybe when she got some answers to unresolved questions. She ignored Alex when he greeted her, instead looked in the opposite direction away from him. When he mentioned he had some explaining to do, she snorted then looked over to glare at him. "No shit, Sherlock." She said.

She glanced at the man whose name she found out was Archer. "Did he help you murder my fiancee, or was it all your own doing?" She said, her eyes back on Alex. "Or is there another reason you have his gun." She spat. Her side had started to hurt again and her head was throbbing bad. She winced but put the pain aside. "Can we be alone? Please." She snapped at Archer. When he left the room, she raised her arm and slapped Alex, but gasped as pain shot through her side. "Damn it." She muttered, closing her eyes, waiting for the pain to go away. Tears threatened to pour out but she wouldn't get emotional, no, not this time. "Why did you do it, Alex... Oliver admired you- he was going to ask you to be his best man, just for me. To make me happy..." She said in a soft whisper and despite the struggle a tear rolled down her cheek.

The tears was mixed from the physical pain and the emotional pain. She didn't look at him, she couldn't, it just made the emotional pain much worse.

"Two-seven-five-four-two-one-two..." Alex began with a sigh, "... Was my designated military number." He shook his head to correct himself, "Not that I was in the military in a traditional sense... Obviously." He told her, not meaning to come across as condescending. "Back in the eighties, the government began a new program building upon theoretical stem cell research to modify genetics in Humans and make them more superior to people like yourself, Archer and even... Oliver." Alex still had his hand on Riley's wound, he looked down at the bandages and ran his fingertips along them.

"Just before the nineties, they produced they're first genetically modified human, the experiments were failures, most being left in vegetative states after their first few years of life. Mid-nineties we were made... By we, I mean people like myself and that man who had you at gunpoint." Alex sighed before explaining more, going through every excruciating detail, explaining everything that he had learnt off his own research and from Archer's specific skill set. He talked for a good half hour, just talking and explaining and apologizing. "Oliver came for me... The night I picked you up and dropped you off at your building. He found me at Archer's apartment and chased me up to the rooftop." Alex winced as he raised his leg awkwardly onto the bed and patted it above the knee. "He shot me in the leg, it was me or him Riley."

Alex stood from the bed and stuck his hands in his jacket pockets. "I'm not asking you to forgive me, I know what I did was wrong and I'm the one that has to live with the blood of two men on my hands now." He looked down at her a thin smile that begged for her to understand parted his lips. "I wasn't going to die that day."

Riley felt the burning sensation of tears once more. Damn it why is she so emotional right now? She listened quietly to him and his explanation, it was far fetched, but she knew it was true by how he told her. Looking up at him she shook her head. "You didn't have to kill him though..." She said, her voice a low whisper. She believed him, but she couldn't believe Oliver would lie to her about all of it, basically his whole life. Sighing deeply she looked up at Alex with sad eyes. "You were just protecting yourself." She said, looking away from him. "I'm sorry..." She said softly, closing her eyes.

Riley moved over in the bed, wincing as she did so. "Would you lay down with me? Please." She said softly. She just needed his comfort and to be held. Otherwise she'd go insane. She laid down, waiting for him to accept her invitation, her thoughts back to last night, or was it last night? She wasn't even sure of the time and date, how long had she been out for? She didn't know, and she didn't care. She was just in a lot of pain and tired, very tired, and hungry, but not enough to matter.

"You didn't have to kill him though..." Riley told him, "Would you lay down with me? Please."

Alex sat down beside her on the bed first, wanting to explain something. "I did, Riley." Alex paused, "One of us had to die, I know it sounds... Rough. It's unfair of course." He began, removing his hands from his pockets gesturing with them in a pleading manner. "Oliver came after me. To kill me if I wouldn't go back with him to be 'reprogrammed' and turned into something where I would have killed a lot more people. Foreign politicians and soldiers, even politicians on the homeland, here." He remembered something that Archer had explained to him, the assassin who killed an American politician recently was someone like Alex, a 276 series, a more advanced version of those like Alex and Josh.

He removed his jacket and lay down beside her his skin was warm but around the abdominal area still stained in blood. He put one arm around Riley as he turned on his side.

Riley brought her finger to his lip to shush him. "Okay, Alex." She said softly, thankful he was laying with her. She curled next to him, positioning her head just under his chin. "It's going to take a lot for me to understand all of this, but I'll get there..." She said softly. She still ached for Oliver, but their whole relationship was a lie. It started off as a lie and ended as one, too. "I just wish you could have told me all about this years ago, Alex." She said in a soft voice, her eyes closed. It felt good to be right here, curled up in his arms, no worries in the world right now. "I understand why you didn't." She said softly, letting out a soft sigh.

She tilted her head back, an amused look dancing in her eyes. "So... you're like some robot or something?" She asked, not able to contain her giggle anymore. "Alex George- best friend and robot extraordinaire." She said dramatically, but winced. Even laughing hurt. "Ow." She said softly. He was warm and comforting. She rested her head back against his chest, slowly and carefully draping her arm over him. "Alex... what his last words?" She asked softly. She knew deep down she didn't want to know, but she had to know. Riley sighed softly, kissing his chest before letting her cheek rest over his heart. She listened to the steady beating, her fingers making circles on his stomach.

"So... you're like some robot or something?" Alex snickered. "Alex George- best friend and robot extraordinaire." He frowned as Riley winced.

"I'm not a cyborg" He began, emphasizing the word cyborg correcting her ignorance on the difference between robots and cyborgs, of course he was only teasing. "I'm flesh and blood like you... It's just my DNA is wired differently and modified to make me... Superior?" Not liking his choice of word.

"Alex... what were his last words?"

Alex's eyes dropped, his stomach rising. He didn't think letting Riley know that he cried and begged for his life, trying to strike a deal with Alex was quite what Riley wanted to hear. He also knew that it would probably not help his appearance either, making him look malicious and just out for blood, which wasn't the case. He didn't believe that Riley would see that it had to be done. However, making up that he had asked for Riley to know he'd loved her would only worsen her heartache.

"He told me that..." Alex paused and breathed out deeply, "That they'd hunt me down to the ends of the Earth, he was fearless." He lied to her, for what he felt was a good reason.

Riley frowned and nodded. "Oh." Was all she said as she curled up closer to him. "Thank you, Alex. For saving me earlier." She said in a audible whisper. "Remind me to thank Archer, too. I was a total bitch to him earlier." She said, sighing. She angled her head so she could see him better and then at his torso, noticing the blood. Her blood. "You should really get this cleaned off." She said and noticed a bathroom. Standing up, ignoring the stabbing pain, she limped to the bathroom and grabbed a wash cloth, damping it with warm water, then went back to the bed and sat on her knees beside Alex. "Here." She said gently and softly, washing the blood off him, moving in small circular movements.

When all the blood, or majority of it, was washed off him she smiled. "Much better." She said and looked down at him, at his face and his eyes. She slowly brought a hand up to caress his cheek, admiration in her eyes. Without giving it a second thought, Riley leaned forward so her lips met his. She kissed him, all the worries and stress from that week coming out. Her side hurt and her head was pounding, but she didn't care. She laid out beside him, her lips still meeting his, her hands on both sides of his face. She pulled back for air, but she smiled. She didn't wanted to apologize- because she'd be lying to herself.

Riley came to realize she truly cared for Alex- she has cared for him for six years, not a day went by she hadn't thought about him. Hell, the majority of her paintings were of them two more then Oliver and her. She smiled as she rolled off so they were spooning. She felt welcomed in his arms, and with him on her mind, her hand over his, she drifted to sleep, and for the first time in days she didn't have any nightmares, but only good dreams, dreams about her future. Her future with Alex.

Once Riley had drifted off to sleep, Alex got off the bed carefully so as not to stir her while she slept. He took his jacket from the bedpost and threw it on. Heading towards the bedroom door, Alex turned over his shoulder and smiled. The kiss had been a little strange given their past together and current situation but the warmth and affection were welcomed with open arms by Alex. Nodding his head he turned back and exited through the door, finding Archer and the doctor sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee in silence except for the buzz from some electronics. "Hey."

"Hey." Archer replied. The doctor looked up from his newspaper and then back down,

"Hello." The doctor added.

"Alex." Archer spoke up as Alex was about to go step outside, "The shooter, nicknamed 'Josh', turns out he had escaped before and was brought back by a collection team. People like Oliver." Archer paused to sneeze, "Turns out the reason he was so brainwashed was due to the 'reprogramming' that Oliver had been blabbing about that night he came after you." Alex thought about this for a minute.

"What does this have to do with me...?" He asked.

"I'm not sure... Just thought I'd let you know, they're really out to get you back, and the others that escaped."

"Others? You mean the girl we you showed me the cadaver of?"

"Not just her, there was more that escaped. More of the two-seven-five series." Archer began, Alex narrowed his eyes. "I'll work on some traces, see if I can get anything up for you."

"Thanks." Alex replied.

"Alex?" Riley sat upright in the bed. She was in a flowing white night gown that was cut low in the center. Her hair was clean and hanging loosely around her face. She felt... better. She got out of bed and walked across the cold tile to the floor. She wasn't sure where he shoes were, but the cold tile was welcoming. She opened the door and walked out, but she was in a different place. It was dark, and just creepy. Riley followed the dimly lit corridor to a door at the very end. She stopped when she could heard tortured screaming. Riley's breathing grew shallow, she didn't want to give herself away.

Slowly, Riley made her way to the door. It was black and iron, so probably heavy. Riley turned the cold brass knob and pushed the door open, but she was led into another empty room, but this one was white. She stepped in and gasped when the door behind her slammed shut on it's own. She tried to open it, but to no avail. She looked down and was dressed in different clothes. She was in all black now with black boots, her hair was up. "Alex!" She tried calling out, but she didn't have any control over her body. Her arm began to rise, she had a gun in her hand, why? She never used a gun before in her life, she didn't like guns.

She didn't know what she was aiming at, but when he turned around she let out a silent scream. Alex. She was aiming at Alex and before she could stop herself, the pulled on the trigger and watched in horror as the bullet sped towards him.

"No!" Came a loud scream from Riley as she sat up in bed, gasping at the sharp pain that shot back up her sides. Her face was wet from crying and she was shaking, not from being cold but from being scared. Why was she dreaming of shooting Alex? She looked around frantically and got out of bed- she was dressed in a white nightgown, the very same one in her dream. Her heart thudded and she felt like it was going to bust out of her chest. She ran to the door, dots swirling in her vision from the pain shooting through her body. "Alex..." She said, searching frantically for him, her voice low and soft.

Archer was the only one left sitting at the table, the doctor had gone into town in his pickup to do some errands. He watched as Riley walked in, adorning her night gown, obviously having not seen her clothes on the chair beside the bed for her. Her distorted vision caused her to stumble a little as she walked, Archer could only imagine the pain she was feeling after a wound like that, having never experienced anything like it before. She obviously hadn't seen the painkillers either, he noted.

"Woah..." He voiced, standing from his chair and walking towards Riley taking her by the shoulders to stabilize her, "He's outside, on the porch.", he directed Riley with his hand towards the front door. "You going to be alright getting there by yourself?" He asked, "Want me to help you?" His voice soft and sweet.

---

Alex was resting on the porch swing, it was old and covered in rust. Only partial glimpses of the original white paint on the metal coming through. It squeaked with each sway, Alex gently propelling it with his feet, the heels of which were planted firmly into the porch floor. It was dark now, heading into the twilight hours. He stared down the long winding driveway which lead to the main road, the doctor would be back any minute now Alex thought to himself. He wondered how long they would be here and began to think that maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to stay out here in this country home for a little while. That is provided the land owner, who happened to be the doctor didn't mind. The night in the country was a completely different animal to what you'd get in the city. It was something Alex hadn't experienced too often and was grateful for every time he did. The clean, crisp air, the black sky dotted with stars or at least on a clear night like tonight. It was beautiful. The chirp of insects and the endless rolling plains until the light of Seattle which lit up the horizon in the distance. A faux sunrise of sorts, that which was really just the glow of hundreds of thousands of city lights.

An oil lamp on a chain attached to the overhang over the porch was the only light source, except for that coming from the kitchen window and the bulb lamps down at the entrance to the driveway. It was pleasant.

The front door creaked open, bringing Alex back to reality as he snapped his head, lurching up from his resting position while remaining seated. "Riley..." He whispered as she came out the front, he examined the robe confused, thinking she would have at least put on some clothes before coming out. It wasn't at cold as most nights this winter but it was still nippy. "Hey..." He added, standing and taking off his jacket, wrapping it over he shoulders. He'd taken the liberty of putting on a t-shirt. He stood standing next to her, keeping his hands in the pockets of his black cargo pants for warmth.

Riley blinked in confusion at Archer. "I need Alex.. I need to know he's okay..." She said in a low mumble. When Archer had asked her if she needed help, she nodded stiffly. He wrapped his arm around her waist and led her to the front door. She nodded her thanks and opened the door. The sunlight hurt her eyes and she was still disoriented. Where was she? How long has she been here? The cold reached her and she shivered. She looked up at Alex and blinked a few times before answering. "Alex.." She said meekly, falling into him. She buried her face in his chest and held him close, not wanting to let him go. "I had a bad dream..." She said, choking back a sob.

"I woke up.. and... and..." She said, sniffling, "You were gone and I was scared.. I thought they got you..." She said, closing her eyes. She didn't want to let him go. "I can't lose you, Alex..." She said, letting the tears go. Damn it, act like an adult, woman! Riley scolded herself. She was grateful he draped his jacket over her, but she took it off and handed it back to him. She sat down on the bench, looking at the beauty spread before her. "Where are we?" She asked him softly. It was peaceful, very peaceful. Riley sighing in contempt, sitting back in the porch swing. She patted the spot beside her and waited for Alex to sit before she curled up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

Alex sat down next to her and put a hand on her knee, gripping it lightly. "We're about ten miles out of Seattle. The doctor who saved your life owns this place." Alex scratched his head with his free hand, "Well when I say doctor, I should say former." He looked down at Riley as she looked up at him at the mention of the word former. "He lost his license years ago, medical malpractice." Before giving Riley the chance to protest at how they could have let this man treat her wound he added, "But, he did in fact save your life... Without any hiccups." Alex smiled as he looked out at the driveway, "Except those two ribs he removed." He said in tease.

Without really noticing at first, Alex found himself running his fingers through Riley's hair like a comb. It was soft and felt nice to the touch a strange comforter. Once he noticed himself doing it he stopped and with that hand he scratched his nose feeling an itch coming on. "I hope you didn't have work today." Alex stated, "Otherwise I think you could have a bit of trouble explaining this one to your boss." Alex stretched both his arms behind him resting them on the top of the back of the porch swing, adjusting himself in the seat. "I was fired, understandably after missing almost a week of work with no phone call prior or after." He snickered afterwards before sighing. "It was crap work anyway. Plus... I don't see myself having been able to keep it on anyway, especially now."

Riley stared at him with wide eyes when he mentioned the doctor losing his license. She was about to protest, but quickly shut her mouth when he mentioned he saved her life- she couldn't argue with that, so instead she settled for an angry glare in his direction, but it didn't last long. She playfully nudged him, sticking her tongue out in the process. "I'd hope not, because otherwise I wouldn't be able to kick your ass- I still owe you an ass whoopin'." She said, pointing an accusing finger in his direction, but a playful smile stayed on her face as she replaced her head back on his shoulder. It felt nice, siting outside on a porch swing, relaxed and at ease with him.

Riley closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair. It felt... nice and comforting. She frowned when he stopped suddenly. Riley laughed when he mentioned her getting in trouble at work, she shook her head. "Mrs. Montgomery gave me the rest of this month up... due to circumstances." She said, her voice growing softer. She looked up at him when he told her he lost his job. "I'm sorry.. it's my fault, isn't it?" She said, staging a sad puppy face and widening her eyes at him. "I apologize, Alex." She said, but her frown turned into a playful smile.

She sighed when her stomach rumbled. "I'm starving." She said, placing her hand on her stomach. How long was it since she last ate? She didn't know, but she didn't want to move, but the weather was just getting colder and she didn't feel like getting sick on top of injuries to her right side.

"A whole month, huh?" He asked rhetorically.

|Two Weeks Later|

Alex sped on his bike weaving between traffic. It had been almost a fortnight since he had gotten to take it for a spin, even though he'd been back in the city for almost a week now. Spending a week out in the countryside had been a good chance to take some rest and recuperation and mull over on certain thoughts. So far Archer's efforts in trying to find any trace on the others who had escaped had turned up with nothing. It was frustrating for both parties involved equally as the days went by it became more tiring and taxing on both Alex and Archer.

He came to a quick stop at a set of traffic lights, waiting for it to turn green he raised his visor and looked from left to right before flipping it back down and taking off again, turning a sharp right he sped up, zipping down the road, still weaving in and out of traffic. Within the last week Alex had found some work as doorman security outside bars and nightclubs. It wasn't too much money but from what he had worked out it would be enough to pay rent and bills, barely, at least until he found better work.

While the trail had been dry in the last fortnight on the matter of bringing up any information on the other rogue "experiments", the case was the same in regards to anyone else having come after Alex, or at least finding him. It was something to be thankful of, but always a constant pressure and thought on his mind. Alex pulled up outside Riley's building, coming to a standing still. Twisting the keys in the ignition he removed and pocketed them, in one of the pockets of his usual jacket underneath which he wore a khaki knitted jumper, his legs wrapped in dark blue jeans. He removed his helmet and left it on the bike before approaching the door and ringing the buzzer.

---

"Hey!" Alex greeted Riley as she opened the door to him.

Riley had decided to go back to work that week, she was going insane just sitting around and doing nothing all day. She was glad to be back to her coffee fetching, file organizing ways. She was making dinner that night, a late thank you from a couple weeks ago. She was making sure she made enough to insist Alex to carry to Archer, she never properly thanked him. The nightmares had subsided and she was feeling a lot better, mostly thanks to the pain medicine the doctor prescribed her. The wound was healing, slowly, but it was still healing. Every now and then she'd have a pounding headache, but by how hard her head hit the ground, it was a given. Riley had contemplated her whole week home moving, those people knows where she lives, what if they come after her again? Well if they did, next time she'd be ready.

Riley was chopping some lettuce up for their salad when the buzz echoed through the whole room. Grinning, she rubbed her hands on her apron and rushed to press the button to let Alex in. She was dressed in dark jeans they looked great on her and a pretty sleeveless caramel colored blouse, cutting low in the front and flaring out at her waist. She had her hair twisted in a side ponytail that set her outfit off and brown boots with heels. She chose not to apply any make-up, only a small amount of lip gloss. Riley grinned when she saw Alex. "Hey!" She said, hugging him gently. It still hurt to put a lot of pressure on her ribs, so she was careful not to hug too hard. "I'm making chicken enchiladas, Mexican rice, and refried beans- all made from scratch. Oh, and salad with some Merlot, Just bought it this morning." She said, bringing out the bottle of wine with a grin.

"It's all almost done." She said, going ahead to pour them each a glass. "Here." She said handing him a wine glass. "To new beginnings." She said, holding up her glass for a toast. The timer to the oven went off and she grabbed two potholders, taking out a pan with the enchiladas in it, covered in red sauce. "Hope you're hungry." She joked, taking out two plates and setting them up at the island. "I made enough for Archer, too. Could you take it to him? It's a thank you." She said, preparing both of their plates. She sat down in the stool next to Alex, smiling. "So, how do you like your new job?" She asked, taking a bite of her food.

Riley had decided to go back to work that week, she was going insane just sitting around and doing nothing all day. She was glad to be back to her coffee fetching, file organizing ways. She was making dinner that night, a late thank you from a couple weeks ago. She was making sure she made enough to insist Alex to carry to Archer, she never properly thanked him. The nightmares had subsided and she was feeling a lot better, mostly thanks to the pain medicine the doctor prescribed her. The wound was healing, slowly, but it was still healing. Every now and then she'd have a pounding headache, but by how hard her head hit the ground, it was a given. Riley had contemplated her whole week home moving, those people knows where she lives, what if they come after her again? Well if they did, next time she'd be ready.

Riley was chopping some lettuce up for their salad when the buzz echoed through the whole room. Grinning, she rubbed her hands on her apron and rushed to press the button to let Alex in. She was dressed in dark jeans they looked great on her and a pretty sleeveless caramel colored blouse, cutting low in the front and flaring out at her waist. She had her hair twisted in a side ponytail that set her outfit off and brown boots with heels. She chose not to apply any make-up, only a small amount of lip gloss. Riley grinned when she saw Alex. "Hey!" She said, hugging him gently. It still hurt to put a lot of pressure on her ribs, so she was careful not to hug too hard. "I'm making chicken enchiladas, Mexican rice, and refried beans- all made from scratch. Oh, and salad with some Merlot, Just bought it this morning." She said, bringing out the bottle of wine with a grin.

"It's all almost done." She said, going ahead to pour them each a glass. "Here." She said handing him a wine glass. "To new beginnings." She said, holding up her glass for a toast. The timer to the oven went off and she grabbed two potholders, taking out a pan with the enchiladas in it, covered in red sauce. "Hope you're hungry." She joked, taking out two plates and setting them up at the island. "I made enough for Archer, too. Could you take it to him? It's a thank you." She said, preparing both of their plates. She sat down in the stool next to Alex, smiling. "So, how do you like your new job?" She asked, taking a bite of her food.