Chapter 10: Almost There, Don't Give Up Now

“Thanks Aaron for this, it’s great seeing you back to your old self again.” Mark said at the doorway of my condo. He had one of his arms around Kathaleen and the other on my shoulder. I nodded smiling.

 

“No problem Mark, it feels great to be back on my game.” I lied. Mark smiled at me and pat my shoulder again. I knew that what really was going on wasn’t me being on my game, but me getting better at lying.

 

“You know I’ve never said this before but Aaron, I’m proud to have you on my team. I really see you as a son, than an actual comrade.” Mark said being serious. I didn’t know how to react to that. I always knew that Mark and I had a closer bond than any of the others, but a father-son relationship was a whole other issue. I nodded it off anyway.

 

“Thanks Mark.” I said smiling up at him. Mark smiled back and then turned to leave.

 

“We’ll see you tomorrow Aaron!” Mark called. Kathaleen waved good-bye. I returned it and closed the door behind them. I went into the kitchen and grabbed myself a glass of water. I was pretty wiped from that day. I remember going to take a shower when Rick called me into the living room.

 

“What man I’m about to…” I didn’t finish my sentence. I was filled with mixed emotions at the time; happy, upset, shocked, and just speechless. Ria was standing in my living room looking nervous. I ran a hand through my hair and motioned for her to follow me. I entered into my room after her and closed it behind me. I leaned on the wall closest to the door.

“What happened Ria?” I said folding my arms. Ria took in a deep breath.

 

“I want to start on proving my innocence.” She said firmly. I sighed in frustration.

 

“Ria, it’s not safe yet.”

 

“And when will it be?” She asked annoyed.

 

“I don’t know.” I said just as annoyed.

 

“Exactly you don’t know. With Kristine it will never be safe. I might as well start on proving my innocence now and get rid of everything over my head.” Ria said leaning on my burial. I looked down thinking. She did have a good point. I still didn’t feel that this was the best thing to do.

 

“I don’t know about this Ria…All of the stuff that you’re going to need is too hard for me to get. I can’t keep up with the mission and get the information you need at the same time.” I said.

 

“Then you don’t get the information. I’ll take care of that.” She said. I shook my head.

 

“No Ria you can’t do this all by yourself. You’ll be caught for sure.”

 

“Aaron, I’m not a little girl or some damsel in distress. I’m a ninja and can do stuff on my own. I’m already practically locked away from the world. You can’t do that. That’s not what I was meant for, it’s not what I was trained for.” Ria said walking closer to me.�"“Besides, don’t you want to finally be able to go out together, see different places, hold hands outside of a contained space? I know I do. I want the world to see that I have a wonderfully caring boyfriend and how much I love him. Don’t you want that too?” Ria asked caressing my face gently. I looked down at her. I hadn’t honestly thought about it. I was always so worried that someone might find Ria and take her away from me. I was focused more on my job than really what I wanted. And what Ria described, made me realize that I was tired. I was tired of the worrying and sneaking around. I did want everything to be out in the open.

 

“I want those things too Ria, but I’m just scared that if we take this risk, then I might lose you. The last thing I want to happen in this world is me losing you.” I said removing a strand of hair from her face. Ria smiled and looked in my eyes.

 

“You’ll never lose me.” She said softly. I smiled and leaned down kissing her passionately.

 

“What do you say we catch up?” I asked raising my eyebrows suggestively. Ria laughed.

 

 

“You’re such a f*****g pervert.” She said not being able to fight the smile on her face.

 

“Is that a no?” I asked with a smirk. Ria rolled her eyes.

 

“What about Rick?” She asked tracing circles on my chest. My smirk grew wider.

 

“Well I was supposed to be taking a shower.” I said motioning to my conjoined bathroom. Ria pursed her lips in thought. I let out a frustrated sigh and picked her up bridal style. She squealed in surprise.

 

“I didn’t even answer!” She cried. I chuckled.

 

“Well I heard your inner voice say yes.” I said smiling. Ria shook her head at my horrible attempt at a joke.

 

“You’re such a corn-ball.” She laughed as I entered the threshold of the bathroom.

 

“But I’m your corn-ball.” I said leaning down and capturing her lips to mine. As one thing lead to another, all the stress of the past weeks began to melt away. I was with Ria now, and nothing else mattered.