When I awoke in the morning, there was a warm musky smell lingering around me that told me August had not long left my side but he was no longer here now. I expected a note or something but there was nothing. I headed to the dining room for breakfast but when there was only the butler there, quietly preparing food, I slipped away, retrieved some clothes and left.

I only go to the shops where I get them some more food but when I pull out my credit card I realise I can't use it or Robert will track me down in less than a minute. I use the remainder of cash that I usually carry around before heading to the park for a walk, to release some energy and think everything through.

At some point there was a group of guards sweeping the area and I became extremely grateful for the shades and scarf I had on that was concealing my features. One took a close look at me but I smiled and moved on causing no suspicion. However it was after that, that I decided it would be smart if I headed back to August's place.

When I get through the front door, all hell breaks loose.

"Where on earth have you been?" August exclaims, looking as red as a tomato and very flustered.

"Just to the town." I reply casually as I place the groceries on the floor and pull the scarf from around my head.

"Just. To. The. Town." August says slowly. "Just. To. The. T-"

"Yes! We needed food, I got food! I needed a walk, I went for a walk!" I cry over him. " What are you, my mum?"

"Obviously not, but being informed that you were leaving would have been nice!" He cries.

"I tried to! You weren't there when I woke up or anywhere for that fact." I cry back throwing the scarf over the railings of the stairs harshly. It only gracefully sinks down onto the wood but I feel a little better for releasing bait of anger.

The butler walks out from a room to where we are, takes one look at us and then turns back around disappearing.

We ignore him and continue. "I was just taking a shower." August explains, sagging a little in posture.

"I'll leave a note or something next time." I compromise, taking off the shades and carrying them as I begin to head upstairs. "Sorry." I add begrudgingly. I hadn't meant to worry him.

"Willow?" He calls up after me. "I'm sorry, too."

*****

When I reappear after sulking in my room an hour later, August is yet again no where to be seen. I find the butler lurking around the place, but not cleaning. It seems August liked to do that and I find my heart swelling with pride at how humble he is.

"Looking for Sir, ma'am?" The butler asks curtly.

I nod, not really wanting to talk to him after what he did yesterday.

"He's gone out for a moment and told me to tell you. There was some suspicious activity out the front of the house." He says, void of emotion but my heart rate spikes. Is August in danger? Why didn't he tell me? I'm the one with the agent skills!

"When?" I demand to know, running for my shoes and scarf to cover my head.

"Almost instantly after you got in from shopping." He replies and I groan at myself. If I hadn't been grumpy, I could be with him right now. What is worse is, it sounds like whoever is here most probably followed me back. "Ma'am?"

I pause, one leg in the air as I was throwing on a boot.

"I want to apologise for yesterday, I don't know what came over me."

"Think nothing of it, John. It's in the past." I sigh, stumbling up onto my feet and throwing open the door. "Hold down the fort, I'll be back soon!" I add before I slam the door shut behind me.

I need to find August. I scan the area before I go down the stairs and to the driveway incase they're hiding somewhere, then I take shelter behind one of the pillars holding up the porch. There isn't anything or anyone to be seen out here, not even August. I try to ponder on what my next move will be when suddenly a car engine revs loudly and comes into sight at the end of the driveway, speeding in my direction. I fly back to my hiding place and remain very still.

When I take another peek, I recognise the car as Roberts and internally quiver. How has he found me so fast? I thought I had kept so well hidden earlier when I was in town.

Worse, August is going to kill me if Robert doesn't first.

Why do they even want me back, I've been a traitor? Perhaps it's because I skipped jail and a rogue agent will wreck their already dying reputation. I'm also willing working with an ex D.A.R.E member against the agency. If they're as good as I think they are, they'll know everything already.

I fly back inside the house, locking the door in all ways possible before I drag a chest of drawers to the front door and block it up. There is no way I'm letting them come in here.

"Ma'am?"

"It's Willow!" I hiss absentmindedly as I pace back and forth in the foyer trying to work out my next move.

"Willow, then." He coughs in a voice, very different from his usual. Demanding, cold and no longer curt. I sharply turn to look at him and hiss through an intake of breath when I realise what he's doing. His posture is defensive as he takes a step towards me, gun in hand.

'If you know what's good for you, you'll give that to me." I demand, taking an equally superior step in his direction. He doesn't try to back down but his face falls. I obviously haven't done what he expected. To cower in fear.

He should have realised that yesterday when he swung a bottle at me.

He deeply chuckles at me, taking another step and I let a growl loose in my throat. "John, what do you think you're doing?"

"Forty nine years."

I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Forty nine years have I been loyal to this family." He spits and it's then that I notice he's holding yet another bottle of alcohol in the fist that's not clutching at the gun. He takes a large swig from it.

"Something tells me you're not much of a drinker." I smirk as he sways slightly. He's a light weight. So he's drinking for another reason other than pleasure.

"You think wrong. Drink is my life now." He mumbles, squinting at the bottle. "Anyway, I was about to tell you a story." He adds with alright slur. I roll my eyes but allow him to continue because this is a least a distraction until I can get the gun from him. "August was the only one who cared about my feelings. And now? He cares for you and I have to do the jobs yet again." He sighs wearily.

"Isn't that your job?"

He slides an arm over the chest of drawers knocking a vase onto the floor with an outraged cry. "No! I am merely a chauffeur but now I cook and clean..." he grunts. "I don't mind it, but I do mind when my son finds other priorities not worth his time!" He cries out, launching the bottle of alcohol at the nearest wall.

"Your son?" I splutter.

"Yes! His real rubbish excuse for a father left this family." He spits. "I became his father and now he repays me and my love with betrayal."

I shake my head. "You're in the wrong, John. August is a grown man and can live his own life." I say softly but then almost choke on a gasp when John lets rip with his gun. He only shoots the floor near me luckily but now I know I need to speed this up.

"He can't live without me!'

"Why are you doing this?" I cry, taking a step away from the cruel and obviously troubled man.

"That nasty boss of yours has dirt on me. He'll pay me if I hand you over now so that's what I'm doing!" He exclaims as he aims the gun at me and grabs my arm. "So, let's go."

"What kind of dirt? I can help you!" I insist but he shakes his head.

"I'm the reason D.A.R.E were able to get to his wife." He sneers but there's guilt evident on his face. "He didn't need that girl anyway but it broke him when she died. If he ever find out it was my fault they found her... he'd never forgive me."

My mouth hangs open. "John, he deserves to know something like that..."

"And that's the exact thing I expect you to say which is why I'm glad you'll never see him again!" He cries as he drags me to the front door.

I hang my head low as he hauls the drawers out of the way and begins to unlock the front door which is when I take my chance. I throw myself at him, the gun being knocked as it flies to the floor and John falls with it. I snatch up the gun and just put it into my belt not bothering to point it at him. He's just in too much of a drunken mess to get back at me.

Suddenly there are gunshots from outside the front door and I propelled myself backwards in to the flurry of coats hanging by the stairs and hide myself away. The front door is kicked open and the draws sent flying, the butler managing to crawl out of the way in time.

August stands there for less than a moment before he flies inside, slamming the door. He's completely out of breath as he calls for me. "Willow!"

I reveal myself from behind the coats and relief washes over his face before a troubled look takes over again.

"I've just seen Jack."