"Didn't your mama teach you not to touch the other's belongings?" Brendon spoke up as he entered the room, exchanging a look between Nicole and the slightly terrified Ford who was struggling to free himself from her grip.

"Or are you just too fucking greedy to prevent yourself from taking what is not yours?" he spat, stepping closer to Ford until their faces were just a few inches away from one another.

"Urie!" Ford breathed out, eyes widening in alarm, his reaction got him a smirk from Brendon.

Nicole stared at her partner as she pressed her knife on the other's man neck, everything about him had changed, his calm eyes were flaring with wrath, his cheery features had turned into an angry sneer, his once white shirt was dotted with small droplets of crimson.

It was like looking at someone different yet familiar at the same time.

"I should have seen that coming," Ford hissed, "I knew you won't lay low for a long time."

"Yeah, you should have," Brendon replied, licking his lips, "you know, I've been really looking forward to meet you face to face," he added, looking at his captor from head to toe, "but now, I'm not sure if I actually like it, it's not what I've been looking for." He finished with a grimace.

Ford furrowed his brow in confusion.

"When someone hears the name 'Robert Ford' the first thing that comes to one's mind is a mighty, invincible man," Brendon spoke again, pacing around Ford, "what I see now is the opposite, I see a petrified, weak man who is about to lose the remaining of his sanity," he added, coming to a halt in front of the other man, "don't even deny it, Ford, you're scared shitless."

Brendon's tone sent a shiver down Nicole's spine.

Ford ground his teeth, he wriggled to free himself from the woman's hold but all his attempts were proven fruitless.

"Now, back to the main topic," Brendon announced, running a hand in his messy hair, "I came to take what you stole from me."

"It's not even yours," Ford almost shouted.

"Seriously, you really want to play this childish game?" Brendon rolled his eyes at him, "fine, I took it first," he mocked, mimicking a child-like pout.

"Do you know what's going to happen to you if you tried to take it from me?" Ford growled.

"What? You're going to unleash the devil on me?" Brendon scoffed, taking a step toward Ford.

"Guess what, asshole," he whispered, grabbing Ford by the collar of his shirt.

"I am the devil."

Without a warning, Brendon pulled Ford off Nicole's hold and threw him across the room, he hit the opposite wall with a grunt and slid down to the floor.

Brendon wasn't satisfied, he walked over to the collapsed man and pulled him up, pinning him against the wall with an arm on his throat.

"That's for putting your filthy hand on my girl," he said through clinched teeth, gripping the key in his free hand and pulling it off Ford's neck, tossing it to Nicole.

Ending the argument with the punch to the chest, Brendon let Ford slid back to the ground as Nicole took his place, retrieving a small syringe from her clutch bag, she kneeled in front of the fallen man as Brendon took a fist of hair, yanking his head up.

"Sweet dreams, dickhead," Brendon cooed as Nicole stabbed the syringe in Ford's neck, watching his eyes rolling to the back of his head as the drugs cocktail worked its way into his system.

Unfortunately, both of them were unaware of the fact that Ford had pressed a small button on his watch, informing his guards that he was in danger.

Knotting the chain of the key around her neck as she buried the golden piece in her bra, Nicole stood up from her position, glancing at her partner who was still looking down his nose at the out-cold man beside his feet.

She was about to urge him to get out when a mass of black bodies stormed into the room.

Nicole couldn't have the mind to count how many guards had seized them in the room, she froze in her spot, unable to make a move as two of the guards aimed two guns at her and her partner respectively.

Everything happened in a matter of seconds, gunshots rang through the confined space, bodies fell to the ground, red spattered in all directions, shrieks and grunts mixed with the smell of blood and gunpowder had filled the air.

A firm hand pulled Nicole from her haze, Brendon took a hold of his partner's arm and dragged her out of the secret room toward the narrow corridor that would eventually lead them to the main floor.

She watched him as he raised a gun and aimed it at the two black-clad guards who tried to block their way, leaving them a heap on the ground.

"Where were you hiding that?" Nicole asked in a rickety breath.

"With my other gun," Brendon answered, panting.

Nicole was too slow to process his reply as he dragged her along with him toward the mouth of the corridor, her heels clicking on the marble floor as another trio of guards appeared out of nowhere.

"Shit," Brendon whispered, coming to a halt just a few feet before the exit, pushing Nicole behind his back, shielding her with his body.

"I'm not a damsel in distress, you know that right?" Nicole told him in a hushed voice, eyeing the three guards in front of her, calculating their moves.

"A thousand percent certain," Brendon replied, his eyes fixed on the approaching guards.

"Then let me give you a hand with that," she said, stepping off her shoes.

Brendon didn't reply, she took that as an approval.

A few minutes later, the couple walked out of the corridor, mingling with the swaying bodies around as if they were already a part of them, leaving a guard stabbed in the eye with a shoe heel, another one stabbed in the throat with the same weapon, and the third one with a deformed neck.

"Hey, guys, don't head toward the main exit, there's another exit to the left of..." Jake spoke in Nicole's ear.

"I'm on it," Nicole interrupted, grabbing Brendon's arm and steering him off the way toward the other, hidden exit.

"There's another way out," Nicole explained as Brendon tried to protest, "it's safer to go through it than walking out the main exit."

Pushing the door open, the cool night breeze greeted their faces as they jogged outside, the screech of tires caught their attention as a black car parked on the opposite side of the street.

"Jake," Brendon whispered as he recognized the car, it was the same one they used to drive to the nightclub, smiling, he squeezed Nicole's hand as both of them ran toward the vehicle that would take them away from the mayhem they left behind.

***********************

Four hours later

Location: Brooklyn/New York

The dimness that engulfed the safe house was comforting enough for both Nicole and Brendon as they both sat on the small dining table, turning their chairs so they were facing each other, propping their bare feet on another chair between them.

They sat in silence, sipping on glasses of Jack Daniels as the bottle sat on the table next to them, the effect of the liquor began to tinkle in their tired bodies.

Nicole rested her head on her arm as she held the glass in her free hand, she was still attired in her dress, the key hanging from her neck over her breast.

Brendon was also still clothed in his smudged white shirt and dusted black slacks, his appearance was a contrast to Nicole's clean, blinding red one.

Both of them were exhausted, but they were also happy, they have made it out of that nightclub in one piece, and they have got what they went for.

Mission accomplished.

"I can't believe that nobody paid attention to the mess we've caused until we left," Nicole murmured, "these people were either too wasted or just didn't give a damn."

"Or maybe it was just pure luck," Brendon suggested, raising the glass to his lips.

"Since when you started believing in luck?" Nicole narrowed her eyes at her companion.

"Since I began to plan this operation," he admitted.

"Well, then I think it's safe to say we were incredibly lucky tonight," she replied, fiddling with the key around her neck with a small smile on her lips.

Brendon looked sideways at her, a burning question kept popping up in his head, taking her loose demeanor as a chance to ask it, he set his glass on the table and turned his full attention to her.

"Can I ask you a question?" he inquired.

"Depends," she answered, not looking at him.

Brendon gulped, he knew he would get a hell of a reply for his question, but it would be worthy to know.

"I know it will be silly of me to ask you this right now, but curiosity killed the cat, so," he shrugged.

"You're not a cat, you're a puppy," she muttered as she took another sip, looking at him straight in the eyes as if she was challenging him to object.

Brendon laughed, he wasn't expecting such a response from her, Nicole liked it when he would laugh hard that he would throw his head back and scrunch his nose, it was amusing to watch.

"Okay," he stated, taking a deep breath after his hearty laughing fit, "so, I know we went on so many dates together, but if I could have the chance to ask you to a date one more time, where do you want to go?"

"Nowhere," Nicole instantly replied, "because, simply, I'll not go on any other date with you."

A slight pang of disappointment hit Brendon in the heart.

"I know," he replied in a low voice, "but let's assume it's an alternative world, okay?"

"Are you serious?" Nicole nonsensically questioned.

"Yup," he replied, not taking his eyes off her face, studying her expression.

Nicole bit her lip, looking down at her almost empty glass.

"The carnival," she announced after burning moments of silent.

"The carnival," he repeated, it was his turn to look nonsensically at her.

"Yeah," she said, pouring herself another glass, "I haven't been to one in like... forever," she added, waving her glass in the air.

"It's so much fun, you know? Taking a ride in Ferris Wheel, eating a long ass stick of Cotton Candy, winning a giant teddy bear... or a goldfish!" she finished, eyes sparkling with inner delight.

Brendon remained silent, he watched her as her face lit up just talking about it.

I'll take you to the carnival,

I'll make sure to draw joy on your face whenever I am able to,

This will be my mission.

He missed the times when he was the cause of her pleasurable giggles, when she used to tell him that he was the reason of her happiness, he made a grave mistake by letting her walk away of his hold because of his foolhardiness.

Standing up from his seat, Brendon walked toward Nicole's, stopping in front of where she was sitting, he bowed and extended his arm to her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow at him.

"Asking you for a dance," he answered, smirking at her.

"What?" she exclaimed, furrowing her eyebrows at him, she assumed he was beginning to get tipsy.

"May I?" he asked, still holding his hand out to her.

"But... there's no music!" she said with a mild confusion, taking his hand and standing up, the idea seemed entertaining to some extent.

"You're either too drunk, or too crazy, or just a mix of both," she scoffed.

Grinning, Brendon pulled Nicole closer to him, putting both hands on her waist as she placed her smaller ones on his shoulders.

They began to sway slowly to the melody of the silent music they were playing in their minds.

"What song do you have in mind now?" Nicole asked in a soft voice.

"Fly Me To The Moon," Brendon answered, getting a smile from his companion.

"Will you believe it if I said that this is the same song I'm thinking of?" she replied with another question.

"Absolutely, it's your favorite song," he answered, smiling down at her.

Nicole looped her slender arms around Brendon's neck as he placed his hands on the small of her back, pushing her closer to him.

"I was worried about you," he whispered to her, "when you were with that bastard, I was about to lose my mind."

"Oh, come on," she dismissed, "it's not like I haven't pulled such a stunt before."

"I'm aware of that," he replied, "but I couldn't help it, the thought of you being alone with him drove me insane."

A smile reached Nicole's heart and sneaked up to her eyes.

"Are you jealous?" she probed, poking him with a finger in the shoulder.

"Shouldn't I be?" he queried, raising his eyebrows.

"No," she automatically replied, "we're not together anymore, Brendon," she finished in a small voice, brushing her hand over the side of his heart.

"I just can't comprehend the idea of you being with someone else," he said, looking into her sparkly, blue eyes, "the mere idea of you being touched by any fucking one but me sets a fire in my heart," he growled.

Nicole was at a loss for words, her breathing came in and out fast of her parted lips.

"Call me a selfish, I don't give a shit," Brendon continued, pushing Nicole toward him with an unintentional force.

"I still want you," Brendon whispered, staring into her soft features, "I want you to be mine, only mine."

Nicole couldn't form a reply, her heart fluttered in her chest like a butterfly, her mind was a clutter of thoughts that all of them seemed irrational at that moment.

Brendon was uncertain what her silence meant or whether it was a good or a bad sign, but he couldn't stop himself as he hands traveled up her back, pressing her to his chest as he locked his lips with hers.

Nicole closed her eyes, the instant sensation of his lips wiped away every thought she tried to formulate in her mind, she entwined her fingers in his hair, deepening the kiss as both of them fought for dominance.

Suddenly, a voice screamed in her brain.

"Brendon..." she whispered as she broke the kiss, seeking some air to breathe.

"Shh, don't overthink it" he whispered back, placing his forehead on hers, time seemed to stop for him and he wanted nothing at that second but to stay in her arms forever.

"I... I can't," she hesitantly said, undoing her hands from his hair, "I can't do this."

Brendon sensed something off beam in her behavior.

"What's wrong, Nicole?" he asked, uneasiness is evident in his tone.

"I just... I don't know," she tried to explain, pulling herself off his embrace, "I mean, there's nothing I want more than being with you again, but it's just..." she trailed off.

"It's just what?" Brendon enquired, apprehension is written on his expression.

"I don't know if I can forgive you," she declared, looking down at her bare feet.

Brendon felt like he got hit in the gut with a boulder.

"I've already told you, I did what I did to save you, to save us," he pointed a finger toward her, "you can't keep holding a grudge on me because of something I did for a valid reason a long time ago."

"It's not about a grudge, Brendon," she defended, "it's about trust."

"You don't trust me?" he asked with a hint of surprise, "what about tonight?"

"Tonight is different, I agreed to be a part of it for the sake of the old days," she answered, "it's not that I don't trust you, Brendon, it's that I don't trust myself when you're around."

"The fuck do you mean?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes at her, the whole situation began to get weirder.

"I mean that I don't want to go back to that life again," she said, her voice rising higher than she intended, "I was managing my life without all that drama around me, I was finally at peace."

"So, you mean that my presence brings chaos to your life," he stated, gulping, his tongue felt like sandpaper.

Nicole didn't reply, she crossed her arms over her chest, looking down again.

Brendon didn't need a verbal answer from her, anyway, he got the message, he mentally slapped himself for thinking that she would change her mind at some point, he didn't blame her, though, what he had done was unforgivable, he was mistaken when he thought that time might make her forget.

"Are you willing to leave this nasty job and live like a normal person?" Nicole finally asked, looking into his blazing eyes.

"No," was Brendon's definite reply.

"Then I can't keep doing this," she said in a low voice.

"What do you want me to do, then?" Brendon asked, burying his hands in his pockets, trying his best to keep his voice steady as a lump rose in his throat.

"Please, leave," she whispered, averting her gaze of his as tears stung her eyes.

"Is that what you really want?" he probed, already knowing the answer.

Nicole's heart screamed 'NO!'

"Yes," her mouth said, letting a single tear rolling down her cheek.

Brendon's expression was blank, he refused to let the turmoil of emotions that was working up inside his chest burst out, nodding his head, he collected his jacket that was discarded on a chair and walked past her toward the door.

"Where are you going?" she asked in a wavering voice, wiping her eye with the back of her hand, smearing her makeup.

"Does it matter?" Brendon scoffed, biting his tongue when he saw Nicole's expression, "I'm going to Jake's, then I'm heading back to LA first thing tomorrow."

A part of her wanted to grab him by the arm, telling him that she was sorry and that he should stay with her, but the other part told her to let him go, maybe that will be for the best for both of them.

She began to hate that other part.

Without another word, Brendon unlocked the door and walked out, quietly closing it behind him, leaving Nicole alone in the poorly lit space.

At that minute, Nicole let the tears flow down her face, she sank into the chair as a heavy feeling filled her chest and prevented her lungs from functioning.

What have I done?

**************************

Y/N: I almost couldn't update tonight, but I was lucky that I had some free time and mind to finish this chapter :)

Don't forget to vote and comment, let me know what you think! I know you'll hate me for breaking our man's heart, but sometimes I can't help feeling a bit evil *devil emoji*

Thank you for reading.