"Rewind that part." Laura said, angling her head to get a better look.

Alastair did as he was told and the two of them scanned the CCTV footage from the station. The crowd was vast and there were so many faces that it was impossible to see Rini in amongst the people.

"Nope, not her." Laura sighed.

"She was definitely down there though." He replied.

"Has anyone contacted Mr. Maeda?" Laura said.

"Yes, the MPU has contacted him. They want him to make a live appeal. Perhaps if Rini sees how far her father is willing to go then she may come home."

Alastair leaned back in his chair and his mind went to Luna. She'd been quite admament that Rini was involved in the attacks. Laura, however, had not. She suggested that Rini had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He got up and cracked his back, leaving the office and stepping into the commotion outside. Rini's father had just arrived. He saw one of the MPU team hand Mr. Maeda the student ID.

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

On getting up that morning I found the tv playing to itself. I sat on the couch and jumped when someone leapt over the headrest. Dani was sat next to me.

"Hey, good morning." He grinned.

The other bedroom door opened and CC appeared. He was up earlier than usual, clearly wanting to see the morning news. Ashley always seemed to get up early so I never got to see him in the morning.

I didn't have to wait long for him to reappear though. The front door opened and Ashley walked in. His eyes landed on me and I offered a smile. He sat next to me.

"You could be a little more enthusiatic to see your beautiful girlfriend." Dani chuckled.

Ashley shot him a dark look, which would have made anyother person run away, but Dani just grinned. The news was starting and CC stood behind the couch, sipping coffee.

Several world news stories aired, then the news about the bombing. Everything was going rather smoothly until the news anchor started talking about me. I froze on the spot. This was something different.

I was even more alarmed when my Dad's face popped up on screen. I hadn't seen him in so long and he didn't really look any different, aside from the lines around his lips and the creases on his forehead.

"I am appealing for the safe return of my daughter, Rini. The police know that she was in the underground as she dropped her student ID." My Dad started. He held up my student ID.

My student ID, that should be in my bag. My lips parted in silent horror and then I remembered where I was and what this looked like. Dani seemed to sense the change in the air.

"I'm gonna make us some tea." He said, leaping out of the chair.

CC wasn't stupid and seemed to sense the change in atmosphere. I wanted to apologise for this. I had no idea I'd dropped it.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea-"

The glare Ashley shot me shut me up instantly.

"It's ok, Rini." CC leaned over, patting me on the shoulder.

"And how exactly is this ok?" Ashley snapped.

I shrank back at the tone. I suddenly remembered that he was a terrorist and could potentially kill me. This was the most terrifying situation I'd ever been in.

"I didn't mean to drop it." I said, finding my courage.

I was about to say something else when Ashley stood, yanking me up. This was it. He was going to kill me.

"Hey, don't be so rough with her." CC shouted.

"I'm not going to hurt her." Ashley said, as though I was a piece of furniture.

I followed him to the bedroom. The door was slammed shut behind me and I whimpered. He sat on the bed.

"I get it. I interfered with your mission and I'm sorry. I didn't realise I'd dropped my ID, honestly. You probably don't believe me, but I-"

"Shut up." He snapped.

I winced at the caustic tone. I stayed rooted to the spot until he beckoned me over. I tentatively approached him, prepared for the pain that was to come. He would probably break my neck. That would be quick and relatively painless, hopefully.

I stopped in front of Ashley and tried to control the shaking. I flinched when his hand lifted, tracing my hair from my eyes.

"I'm not going to hurt you." He reassured me.

I opened my eyes and looked at him. His hand traced down my neck, grazing over my jugular, then continuing downwards.

"But you're angry." I whispered.

"I admit that I was somewhat frustrated by your lack of caution, but there were a lot of people down there so it's not your fault." He replied.

I relaxed when I realised he wasn't going to hurt me. Had this happened when we first met then I suspect he would have had no qualms about killing me, but he seemed to be changing.

"So, that was your dad?" He asked.

I suddenly remembered my Dad had appealed for my safe return. Why in heck would he do that? Dad had left Mum and I when I was very young and he barely even saw me. He got remarried to a woman named Naomi. They had two kids and a beautiful home and I was the last thing on Dad's mind.

"Yeah, he never really bothered before." I sighed, shrugging a little.

I lowered my head. I couldn't believe Dad was so interested in getting me back. He had never cared before. Ashley reached up, gripping my chin so I could see his eyes.

"Perhaps I should let you go." He murmured.

Wait, seriously? He was going to let me leave. My eyes bugged out and I parted my lips to say something. When I had first been abducted I wanted nothing more than to be let go. Now I wanted to stay with Ashley till the end.

The trouble was that the end meant Ashley and CC being killed or their arrest. There was no way around it. I had been their captive for over a fortnight and it had been the most shocking and exciting time of my life.

"B-but, what about you?" I whispered.

"I know that I will be arrested or could possibly die. You don't deserve someone like me." Ashley said, smiling slightly.

"What if I don't want to go?" I said, and he met my gaze.

"I'm not forcing you, but I think it's for the best. If you think about, Rini, you don't really want to marry a terrorist." He replied.

It really didn't matter who he was. Their next mission must be something big if he was going to all this trouble. I nodded and he leaned forward, kissing me. His lips were so soft and I almost burst into tears. He pulled back.

"I have a request though," I smiled. "Can I have one more night here with you?"

"Yes." His hands rested on my hips and I cuddled closer to him.

Tomorrow I would be going home.

Notes