Author’s Notes: I know I said that I wasn’t posting this until after TPCH, but my beta and I are having slight technical difficulties, and I’m impatient! Anyway, behold the sequel to TUC. Behold it with all your might.

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I know the real reason I left, and that’s all that really matters. Well, not really. All that really matters is that I’m back on the mainland, and I’m in up to my knees in salmon and coffee.

Yay for me, right?

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Clouds hovered in the sky above, blocking the sun and casting grey light onto the waterfront scene. The smell of salmon and other assorted fish hung in the air like a thick mist, and those who had decided to visit the area had no choice but to endure it or go home.

Chris smiled gently, his hazel eyes following the king salmon as it flew through the air, being caught by a young man about his age. The onlookers’ voices blended into one loud murmur as they watched the fishermen with an impressed sense of excitement.

Chris continued to smile, shifting his gaze to a nearby jewelry booth as he walked through Pike Place Market, a well known Seattle attraction. He walked aimlessly through the market, casting glances at the jewelry and other pieces of art that decorated the walkways.

His gaze moved, however, when the sounds of waves met his ears. He turned away from a small fabric booth that he had been looking over in favor of watching Puget Sound. The dark blue waters splashed against the rocky shore as boats swept in and out of the nearby marina.

Mountains in the distance soon caught Chris’s attention, and he found himself marveling at Washington’s beauty. Snow-capped peaks stood in the distance, the bold forms rising high into the clouds.

Chris sighed with contentment. This little trip wasn’t such a bad idea after all, he decided mentally, pulling his glance away from the water and once again walking through the market. At first he had been skeptical of coming up to Washington, but now it seemed to him that it had been a well placed vacation.

“It‘ll be a nice change from LA and its sunny madness,” Giovanni had told him about a week before. And, true, it had proved to be a very nice change. The air was fresher here, and the temperature at least twenty degrees cooler, which was always nice.

True, Washington didn’t have the golden beaches that had made California so well-known, but it had its own natural, earthy beauty that made it impossible to resist. But, the things that it didn’t have were probably what made Chris love it so much.

Seattle didn’t have the Californian Mafia. It didn’t have Chris’s work office, and was lacking in life-threatening danger, as far as Chris was concerned. That was always nice. And, it didn’t have Emma. A fresh wave of guilt hit Chris as an absentminded hand rose up to finger the cross that she had long ago given him. Ever since their break-up a few weeks prior, the girl had been absolutely crushed- not to mention somewhat obsessive. Chris saw her almost everywhere he went, which was kind of unnerving.

A sigh escaped his lips as he allowed the silver pendant to fall from his hand and against his chest, quickly tucking it into the inside of his shirt. For the first couple of months, Emma had proved to be a great girl. She was pretty, smart, and practically worshipped the ground that Chris walked on. She was the perfect girlfriend, maybe even the perfect girl. But, as the relationship had continued on, Chris had found that it was what she wasn’t that made him want to break up with her.

She wasn’t Ame.

As sad and true as it was, that was Chris’s reasoning for not wanting to be with her. She didn’t have the spark, the energy that Ame had. Nor did she have the complete disregard for other people’s lives and safety, but who said that was always a bad thing?

Chris dropped his gaze to the floor, sighing deeply. How long had it been? Two, maybe three years since Ame had gone? He groaned. Pathetic. The girl had been gone for years, and he still found himself thinking about her. But, worse, he found himself missing her even more each time.

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I like Seattle. Screw Hawaii, screw California; I’m moving here.

A girl walked through the crowded streets of the city, her emerald eyes sweeping up the skyscrapers that towered above, and a small smile of amazement on her lips. She had never thought that she would like Washington, but now she found herself standing corrected. Beautiful landscape, schizophrenic weather, a Starbucks every block or so… what wasn’t to like?

The girl, or ‘Blonde Daredevil’ as people in Hawaii had come to call her, strode slowly through the city, still marveling at the scenery. She clenched her hand into a fist, crushing the can of coca cola that resided there before tossing it into a nearby recycling can. The girl, satisfied with her good deed for the day, stretched her arms above her head, sighing with contentment. Her rare moment of peace, however, was interrupted when she heard commotion just down the hill from where she stood.

The girl brought her gaze in front of her, flicking her now long, blonde hair out of her face, the dyed red tips flowing like a wave of crimson. People collected at the waterfront, pouring into the entrance of what appeared to be a market. Pike Place Market, the girl realized with a smile. I’ve always wanted to see that!

The girl grinned and trotted down the hill, preparing for some extensive shopping.

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Dear God, why don’t I have blinders? Chris trotted through the market, trying to avoid the hundreds of people constantly trying to sell him their crafts. And it was much easier said than done, especially when they all came at him at once.

Chris sighed, rolling his eyes and striding to a nearby booth. Another jewelry booth. Why were there so many goddamned jewelry booths? Expelling another puff of air, he carefully picked up a silver necklace with an emerald pendant. He hadn’t gotten anything yet… maybe he should buy something for Emma? A stop-stalking-me present, perhaps? Chris snorted. How thoughtful of me…

Another gentle sigh escaped Chris’s lips as he fingered the piece of jewelry in his hand. His other hand went into his pocket, pulling out a ten dollar bill and handing it to the lady in front of him.

“Thank you, thank you,” she said happily, nodding her head vigorously.

Chris returned a wry smile, turning away from the booth as he slipped the necklace into the pocket of his jeans. His gaze lifted, and he began walking, continuing his aimless trek around Seattle. But… something stopped his movement.

Just a few booths down stood a girl. Just a girl. But, this girl, with her eyes down, a small smile gracing her lips, triggered something in Chris’s mind somehow. Her golden hair reminded him of every time that he had followed behind her, chasing after her for his life’s own sake. And, her smile… every time that he had stared at her, wondering if such a strange girl could possibly be human.

But, her eyes… he saw her eyes and remembered the very last time he had been allowed to gaze into them, as she lay there dying in his arms.

Chris’s pulse quickened.

“…Ame?”

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The instant Ame lifted her gaze, she instantly began to chide herself. Being an assassin, she really should have been smarter than this. The smart thing to do would have been to casually walk away, paying no mind to the voice. But, of course, that wasn’t what Ame did. Oh no. She just had to lift her head. She just had to allow her curiosity and stupidity to grab hold.

The girl straightened, casting her vision in the direction of the painfully familiar voice. Bright eyes connected with his soft ones and, surprisingly, she found her heart clenching. Chris… Her emerald eyes widened. Though she had heard his voice, she hadn’t really expected to see him. She had never expected to see him ever again, no matter how many times she thought she heard his voice...

Ame allowed herself to stay locked in his gaze for about five seconds, paralyzed by his presence, before doing what it was that she was supposed to do, and running.

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Chris gave himself half of a second to react to the girl’s actions before darting after her. He watched her yellow hair whipping behind as she ran through the crowd, making a clear path for Chris as he pursued her.

His whole body tingled, blood surging throughout every square inch, reaching every nerve ending. Ame… He ran the name over in his head, shock and disbelief giving way to hope. Ame, is that really you…?

Chris continued to follow the girl, his breathing coming in fast, shallow pants as the chase went on. Ame eventually led him out of the market, and began running through the sea of businessmen and women that inhabited the Seattle streets. The girl dove between cars in the standstill traffic, and Chris did his best to keep up, weaving in and out of the honking machines.

“Ame?” he called breathlessly. Was it just him or had she gotten faster during the past couple of years…? Chris sucked in an uneven breath and shouted again. “Ame!”

The girl ignored his calls, keeping her head down as she ducked into an alleyway. Chris followed, running on pure adrenaline now. I’m going to lose her, he realized. She’s too fast… Chris’s attitude, however, took a turn for the better as he flew into the alleyway. At the very end was a tall wire fence.

Ame stopped in her tracks, skidding slightly, and Chris heard her mutter a few curses. The girl, seemingly realizing her defeat, turned slowly to face Chris, her features an unreadable mask.

Chris stared at her, an audible gasp leaving his lips. It was just like seeing a ghost.

“Ame?” he said quietly. “You‘re… you‘re alive?”

Chris gawked at the girl, his mouth hanging open slightly. She looked different. Her hair was longer, and baring bright red tips, and she seemed to hold a more mature nature; but it was definitely the same girl that he had stayed with all those years ago.

Ame stared at Chris for a moment longer before lifting her hands. They rose slowly in front of her, the palms aiming towards her face. The girl stared into the small appendages, a somewhat shocked and bemused expression overtaking her face. “Holy shit, I am!” she cried out, grinning. Chris almost shivered at the sound of her voice; he had missed it so much. “Would you look at that…”

Chris continued to stare unblinkingly.

Ame flipped her long hair out of her angelic face, the golden tresses catching the few rays of sunlight that shone through the clouds, and smiled. “Well, that was a nice revelation, but I must be off.”

“Ame… what…?” Chris shook his head slightly, wondering exactly what the hell was going on.

The blonde stared at him for a moment, her eyes flashing with what seemed to be pain as she looked into Chris‘s own pained eyes. But, the flicker of emotion was gone as soon as it had come. She flipped her hair back again and began to walk past Chris.

“Ame, what the hell?” Chris asked, finally finding his tongue. This is crazy; this can’t be real…

“I need to go.” Her voice was so soft that Chris wasn’t sure if she had really said anything.

“Ame…” The girl continued to walk, ignoring him completely. “Ame, wait!” Before she was given the chance to put even more distance between them, Chris grabbed her arm, holding her to the spot.

Ame whirled on him, her emerald eyes flashing. “Let go!” she shouted, bringing her forearm down on Chris‘s hand. Pain exploded in Chris’s arm, but he didn’t release the girl.

“Ame?” His voice held more surprise than pain. In the time that they had spent together, Ame had never tried to hurt him…

“Let go,” she said again, her voice calm, but strong. Chris stared into her eyes, and he noticed something that he hadn’t seen before. Her hair and mature demeanor weren’t the only things that had changed in the past couple of years. But, her eyes had changed as well. They no longer held the flame that had once been there; they didn’t sparkle and flicker with the enthusiasm and energy that Chris remembered so well.

“Ame… what happened to you?” Chris heard himself speak, as if witnessing this whole exchange from outside of his body.

The girl averted her eyes with a small snort, but no longer fought to remove herself from Chris‘s hold. “A lot can happen in two years, you know?” she murmured, smiling wistfully, her eyes low.

Chris gaped. Ame was so… quiet. That was definitely a new development.

He released the girl’s arm, and she let it drop at her side, but didn’t dart for the exit of the alley. “So…” she said, bringing her eyes back to Chris’s with a small smile. “You found me.”

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Ame had barely uttered the words when she was pulled into a tight embrace. She let out a small grunt as her body collided with his, his arms wrapping tightly around her shoulders.

For a moment, her vision went red. Cool it, Ame, she told herself, inhaling Chris’s deep scent. This is Chris. Just Chris… is he wearing Polo cologne? Ame mustered a small smile, letting her eyes fall closed as an extreme sense of contentment washed over her. For just a moment the sound of the ocean blended with the passing cars sounded like the sweetest music on earth; the mixture of Chris’s scent and salty sea air able to rival any flower.

Ame breathed deeply. Well, do something, you dork. Hug him. Kiss him. Bite his ear. Just do something.

She snorted.

Well, it’s a start. Ame snorted again, opening her eyes just enough to give them an annoyed roll. This is ridiculous… And with that last thought, Ame brought her arms around Chris’s middle and held him to her, pulling the two of them as close as humanly possible.

And that was all she needed to get going; that simple embrace, the embrace that she should have enjoyed years ago was all that she needed for a single tear to form in her eye and slide down her cheek.

“God, I missed you,” she heard Chris murmur, his face buried in the nook of her neck.

Ame smiled, her cheeks flushing as more tears continued to slide slowly down them. He missed me, she thought joyfully, allowing herself for the first time in ages to act like a normal, idiotic girl. He missed me...

The two stayed locked together in silence, neither knowing quite what to say.

---

Chris felt moisture on his cheek and hesitantly lifted himself from Ame’s neck in favor of gazing at her face.

“Are you… crying?”

Ame snorted, crossing her arms and turning her face away. “No,” she said defiantly.

Chris smiled gently. “You‘re crying.”

Ame allowed her eyes to roll back to Chris’s face, the emerald orbs glimmering with crystal tears. “Fine,” she said, bringing her arm up to wipe away a few stray tears. “I‘m crying. Happy?”

Chris stared for a moment, awestruck by the girl’s display of emotion. She was back; she was here. The girl whom Chris had lost and missed for so long was with him once again, standing before him as crystalline tears slid down her cheeks.

He grinned, wrapping his arms around Ame’s shoulders once again. “Ecstatic.”

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Author’s notes: yes, Ame and Chris are back! happy

- If I called either of them Hope or Ian at any point, forgive me; I've got TPCH on the brain. Though, I think my beta caught all of my mistakes.

- Pike Place Market is a real place in Seattle. It has loads of small shops and booths, not to mention fish. It’s really cool, though.