Jay's POV
The base felt strangely quiet after everyone left.
Not actually quiet.
The machines were still running.
Luna's keyboards were still clicking.
The security monitors still displayed the endless movement of the city above them.
But without the others filling the room with their voices, jokes, and arguments…
It felt different.
Jay sat in the strategy room with one leg crossed over the other, her eyes fixed on the large screen.
Keifer's flight tracker was still visible.
NEW YORK — LANDED
Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the chair.
He was here.
Actually here.
After months of distance…
He was in the same city.
She swallowed quietly.
Luna noticed.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded.
"Yeah."
Luna didn't believe her.
But she didn't say anything.
Instead, she turned back toward the monitor.
"Their vehicle has left the airport."
Jay looked at the screen.
"How long?"
"Maybe twenty-five minutes."
Jay nodded.
Then looked away.
A few seconds later…
"How long now?"
Luna glanced at her.
"…Twenty-four."
Jay frowned slightly.
"I meant approximately."
"Of course."
Luna tried not to smile.
Jay returned her attention to the screen.
Keifer's POV
The city passed outside the tinted windows.
New York.
Keifer had imagined this moment countless times.
He had imagined finding Jay.
Running toward her.
Hearing her voice.
Maybe even hearing her complain about how stubborn he was.
Instead…
He didn't even know where she was.
Percy sat beside him.
Aries was in the front.
Angelo kept checking the mirrors.
"Something's wrong," Angelo finally said.
Keifer looked up.
"What?"
"The same black vehicle has been behind us for six minutes."
Percy immediately turned around.
"You're sure?"
Angelo nodded.
"It changed lanes when we did."
Keifer's expression hardened.
"Kyle?"
"Possibly."
Aries immediately reached for his phone.
"We should change route."
Keifer nodded.
"Do it."
The vehicle turned.
The black SUV followed.
Angelo's hand moved toward the weapon hidden beneath his jacket.
Then—
Another vehicle appeared ahead.
Black.
Tinted windows.
Moving directly toward them.
Percy stared.
"…We're surrounded."
Keifer looked through the windshield.
The front SUV stopped.
Their driver slammed on the brakes.
Before anyone could react, another vehicle pulled alongside them.
Doors opened.
Alex stepped out.
Cora followed.
Deniel emerged from the other side.
Keifer stared.
"What the—"
Deniel lifted both hands.
"Before you get angry…"
Keifer's eyes narrowed.
"Where is Jay?"
Alex answered calmly.
"Safe."
That single word changed everything.
Keifer immediately opened the door.
Alex stepped forward.
"Don't."
Keifer stopped.
"Why?"
"Because you're coming with us."
Percy stepped out behind him.
"And who exactly are you to decide that?"
Deniel raised one finger.
"Technically…"
Cora interrupted.
"Don't."
Deniel lowered his hand.
"…Right."
Alex looked directly at Keifer.
"Kyle knows you're here."
Keifer's expression changed.
Alex continued.
"If you walk around New York looking for Jay, you're putting yourself directly in his hands."
Keifer remained silent.
He understood.
Every part of him wanted to reject this.
But then Alex said the one thing that mattered.
"Jay is at the base."
Keifer's eyes immediately lifted.
"She's there?"
Alex nodded.
"Yes."
For several seconds…
Keifer said nothing.
Then quietly—
"Take me to her."
Jay's POV
"Twenty minutes."
Luna announced.
Jay nodded.
She tried to focus on the reports in front of her.
She read the same paragraph three times.
Nothing stayed in her head.
She closed the file.
Luna glanced at her.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
Jay looked at her.
"I'm not."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
Jay gave the smallest smile.
"Okay."
A pause.
"…Maybe a little."
Luna smiled.
"That's better."
Jay looked back toward the monitor.
"Is he safe?"
"Alex hasn't reported anything."
Jay nodded.
Then—
The security monitor changed.
Luna looked at the screen.
"Their vehicles are entering the underground access."
Jay's heart jumped.
She stood immediately.
Luna looked at her.
"Jay…"
"I'm just going to the hallway."
"I didn't say anything."
"I know."
Jay walked out.
She stopped near the elevator.
Her hands were cold.
She rubbed them together once.
Then forced herself to breathe normally.
The elevator indicator began descending.
Level 1.
Level 2.
Level 3.
Level 4.
Jay stared at the numbers.
She didn't know what she was going to say.
She didn't even know if she should say anything.
Months.
It had been months.
And now…
He was about to stand in front of her.
The elevator doors opened.
Alex stepped out first.
Then Cora.
Then Deniel.
Jay looked past them.
Percy appeared.
Then Aries.
Then Angelo.
And finally—
Keifer.
Everything stopped.
Jay couldn't hear the machines anymore.
Couldn't hear Luna walking up behind her.
Couldn't hear Deniel saying something.
There was only him.
Keifer stopped too.
His eyes found hers instantly.
Months of distance.
Months of fear.
Months of unanswered questions.
All of it disappeared in one single moment.
Jay didn't move.
Neither did he.
Her lips parted slightly.
His expression softened.
He looked at her like he was making sure she was real.
And Jay…
For the first time in months…
Forgot what she was supposed to say.
Their eyes remained locked.
Neither of them looked away.
End of Chapter.