He was sitting quietly in the hospital room the soft hum of machines filled the air, and the sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting faint lines across the floor, Irina was laying unconscious on the hospital bed, he was holding her one hand he hadn't slept whole night his mind was a storm of guilt, anger, and worry he kept replaying the moment when she got hurt, blaming himself for not protecting her he glanced at her again, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest.

The doctors had said she would recover, but seeing her like this was more painful than any mission he had ever faced she wasn't just a partner she was his wife, the person he cared about most in the world the person he loved the most.

"I'll find her and I won't let her hurt anyone else."

He again murmured like a mantra, he wanted to destroy that killer badly who appeared to be a man but in reality a woman but for now all he could do was wait and hope his wife would wake up soon, After some time Irina's eyes slowly fluttered open he sat up straight with relief flooding his face.

"Love are you ok??"

He said softly, his voice trembling with emotion and traced her cheek from his thumb she gave him a weak smile and nod.

"I'm okay."

She whispered, though her voice was faint he couldn't hold back his emotions anymore he leaned down and kissed her forehead, her cheeks, and her lips.

"I was so scared I thought I might lose you.."

He said, his tone cracked with emotions she smiled softly, despite her pain and placed her hand on his cheek.

"You didn't lose me I'm still here."

He smiled and a lone tear left his eyes which he wiped quickly and hugged her his heart was full of love and gratitude that she was alive, after a while he pulled back and took a deep breath.

"Irina there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"The killer... it wasn't a man it was a woman all this time, we've been chasing someone who was hiding their real identity."

He said, his tone little hesitating, Irina looked at and him with wide eyes.

"A woman? Are you sure?"

"I saw her hands when she threw the flower they were not a man's hands and the way she moved, it all makes sense now she's been playing us Black She wanted us to believe something that wasn't true."

Irina listen him and her anger raised suddenly.

"That little piece of shit..."

She said, anger was dripping in her tone he shook his head and squeezed her hand.

"We will figure it out together but for now, just rest I need you to get better."

Irina nodded her head and sighed heavily he softly kissed her lips and caressed her hairs so she could rest or sleep, he was sitting beside her but his mind racing with thoughts about the killer every clue, every encounter, now had a different meaning he couldn't shake the image of her slender hands, her mocking smile, and the white rose she had thrown a taunt, or maybe a challenge

After some time as the room grew quieter, a knock on the door interrupted the silence, he raised his head from Irina's hand only to see Chief Michael Jenkins stepping inside, his usual stern expression softened by concern, he immediately stood up after saw him and slight bowed his head Mr. Michael nodded at him before his gaze shifted to Irina who was lying in the hospital bed, sleeping peacefully.

"How is she?"

He asked in low tone and glanced at him.

"She's stable the doctors say she will recover soon."

He replied, glancing back at his wife Mr.
Michael walked closer to the bed, his hands in his coat pockets, he looked at Irina for a moment, then turned back to him.

"My daughter is tough don't worry Red she will recover soon."

Mr. Michael said, his voice laced with proudness and amusement for his daughter, he nodded his head while looking at him who was now caressing her hair in affection Irina stirred slightly at the sound of his voice and touch and opened her eyes but when she looked at Mr. Michael she immediately hugged his waist like a little child who was scared from the world, they smiled on her action and Mr. Michael patted her back and kissed her forehead.

"What happened my child?"

He asked, his voice was soft and full of warmth she pulled out from hug, her eyes were glistening with tear Mr. Michael wiped the corner of her eyes and kissed her forehead.

"Isn't my Irina strong then why is she crying??"

"Just getting overwhelmed after saw her dear father."

He said and sat on couch because he knew his wife was about to forget him after saw her father, Mr. Michael rolled his eyes and Irina chuckled softly.

"He is right Dad I really missed you."

She said, her tone cracked slightly because the job they were doing they didn't have any guarantee about their life and when she was thinking she would die she wanted to see her father that's the only thing which scared her that what if she die and her husband, her father never got to know.

"Sorry my child I was in mission I returned just now and came to see you."

He said, his tone was regretting but he also knew he couldn't do anything he just hugged her and rocked her like she was a baby.

"Ask your daughter Chief she literally scared the hell out of us."

Mr. Michael pulled out from hug and looked at him who was looking at them with little pout a rare mood of him which he occasionally show.

"But now I'm fine ok."

Irina said in calm tone and flipped her hair making both men chuckled.

"By the way Black, Red told me what happened there about the killer a woman, huh?"

Mr. Michael said, and their face turned serious after sensed the seriousness in Chief's tone.

"Yes Chief it changes everything she has been fooling us all along."

Red said in serious tone making Mr. Michael sighed, he looked at his both agents and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What if this is also that killer facade?"

He said and looked at both of them on which they both nodded.

"You're right Chief this is possible too but we can't let her keep the upper hand she is out there, planning her next move."

Michael nodded on Agent Red's word, his sharp eyes meeting his.

"Agreed but right now, focus on getting
Black's back on her feet we will regroup and come up with a plan."

"Don't count me out just yet Chief I will be back in the field soon."

Agent Black immediately said after heard Mr. Michael on which he chuckled lightly.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you."

He said with a proud making her smiled widely Agent Red shook his head and spoke.

"Chief if you have come so please make her eat dinner because according to your fragile princess she doesn't want to have hospital's food."

He said and looked away from Irina because he knew she was glaring him because he called her 'Fragile' Mr. Michael looked at his daughter with narrowed eyes who just rolled her eyes.

"Order her dinner I will see how can she doesn't eat."

Irina glared both of them and crossed her arms around her chest clearly didn't want to talk with them Red shook his head on her tantrums and pulled out the phone, after some minutes the nurse came with a food, a bowl of porridge, freshly cut fruit and vegetables and boiled eggs she scrunched her nose after saw everything but unwillingly opened her mouth when Mr. Michael raised spoon towards her lips and he was sitting on couch staring them with empty eyes he was thinking something, something that perhaps he shouldn't.

✧◍✧◍✧

Two days later Irina finally returned home the doctors had advised her to rest, but she hated staying too long on bed she was a fighter, always ready for action, but for now she had to let her body heal right now she was sitting on the couch, wrapped in a light blanket her head was resting against a cushion the warmth of her home felt comforting after the cold environment of the hospital, she was looking toward the kitchen as if the show was going on because her husband was in the kitchen making dinner for her, he hated cooking but he always did just for her if she was sick, or late, his sleeves were rolled up, his strong hands carefully chopping vegetables and stirring the pot on the stove and she was just admiring her husband's beauty.

"You know, i'ts been a while that my handsome chef has cooked something for me."

She said loudly from the living room and he chuckled after heard her teasing tone.

"Well this handsome chef's wife deserves a proper meal after almost getting herself killed."

He also said and looked at her who was looking at her with wide eyes.

"Excuse me I didn't almost get killed."

She said, her tone was defending he smirked widely and looked at her.

"For God sake Irina you were unconscious in a hospital bed."

He said in emphasizing and looked at her face thank God he wasn't in front of her or else he knew his wife would throw a vase on him.

"Fine I almost got killed."

He laughed loudly after heard her done tone, when he was done he walked over to her and kneeled by the couch in front of her and pressed a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Let's go highness your chef has made the dinner.."

She chuckled on his tone slapped his arm playfully.

"I think I could get used to this."

"It's good for you cause I'm not letting you lift a finger until you're fully recovered."

....

At last hour of night, Irina was in her sleep but she stirred and opened her eyes, the room was quiet, almost too quiet she reached out beside her expecting to feel her husband's warmth, but the bed was empty she opened her eyes and frowned she carefully sat up and glanced towards the bathroom door but she frowned deeply after saw the light of bathroom was closed.

"Where did he go?"

She thought and carefully stood up, ignoring the slight pain in her back, and walked out from the bedroom but as she stepped into living room, a familiar scent filled the air lavender.

And she froze where she was her breath hitched as her heart pounded in her chest Lavender the same scent she had smelled at that day when they first time encountered with killer, her eyes darted around the dimly lit room, the windows were closed, the door was locked yet the scent was unmistakable and her heart stopped after remembered about her husband that where he was. She frowned when she heard voices from outside and her instincts kicked in immediately, ignoring the dull ache in her back, she immediately opened the drawer beside her and took out the gun, as they were agents they had guns and weapons in every corner of their home, with stern face she walked toward the door, the scent of lavender still clung to the air, making her uneasy she took a deep breath and stepped outside, the cool night air greeted her, and under the dim glow of the porch light, she saw a familiar figure her husband who was coming inside, his expression was calm but as he saw her he halted on his place and something appeared in his eyes perhaps, fear?? Which she also noticed.

"Where were you at this hour?"

She asked and lowered the gun but her voice was steady, he looked around and came towards her.

"I just needed some fresh air."

He replied simply but the way he said, it didn't sit right with her she glanced behind him at main door then him.

"I heard some voices who was it?"

She asked closely and for a brief second, she saw something flicker in his eyes and she immediately got to know he was hiding something, but before she could react or ask he slowly reached out for a gun his hand gently but firmly closing over hers and took the gun.

"Irina you don't need to worry I was just out for fresh air."

He said softly and before she could say anything else, he suddenly scooped her up in his arms, lifting her in a bridal style

"You're supposed to be resting, not sneaking around with a gun."

He said teasingly and walked inside the home she shook her head on his actions and glanced back and didn't said anything he carried her inside the bedroom and made her lay down on bed covering her with duvet.

"Now rest..."

He said in little strict tone while unbuttoning his shirt, after tossed his shirt on nearby chair he laid down beside her but froze after saw her distant expression.

"I seriously heard voices."

She said seriously while looking at him on which he didn't said anything but something flickered in his eyes which confused her but, he chuckled lightly and hugged her.

"My love you're just getting suspicious nothing else now sleep."

He said, his voice was soft and caring, he kissed on her temple and started to caressed her hair, Irina shifted slightly close to him but her mind still racing with questions, but she thought to believe him she closed her eyes, letting herself drift in the safety of his arms, but the feeling of unease lingered, like an invisible weight pressing against her chest. As she slept peacefully, unaware of the turmoil in her husband's heart, he let out a heavy sigh, the weight of his secrets pressing down on him his fingers gently brushed a lock of hair from her face as he stared at her, torn between the love he had for her and the dark truth he had been keeping.

"I'm sorry, Irina I never wanted to hurt you I never wanted to keep these things from you... but I have to, I promise When the time comes... you will know why I had to keep this from you."

He muttered softly under his breath and kissed her forehead gently, but deep inside him, something else stirred, a fear, a doubt.

What if she never understood? What if his decisions, his secrets, drove a wedge between them that could never be repaired?

But he shrugged his every thoughts and after took last glance of his wife he closed his eyes and burried his face on her neck for now, all he could do was hold her and hope that the right time would come before it was too late.

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...ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ...