There was no mistake. Nobody had written the wrong name, there was nothing to be rectified. I had let Jack finish his orientation before I tentatively asked if I would be able to speak with Lorres about the security matters, but my request received a frosty reception. Apparently Lorres would be "unavailable for some time". But "rest assured", Jack was in charge of all things logistical and I could ask him whatever I wanted. I feebly murmured that after what I'd been through, I found it unnerving to have someone follow me around all day, especially a man. I even said I felt uncomfortable having someone who had been involved in the operation there as a constant reminder. I plead the case that in order to assimilate back into everyday life I needed to feel normal and safe, not tailed by a man.

"You're asking us to be negligent in our moral and legal obligation to protect you, I'm sorry, but my hands are tied" Jack had stated flatly, without an ounce of apology in his words. Not that it was his fault, not that it was any one person's fault in particular... in my sleep deprived daze I wondered suddenly if that were true. Tears prickled in my eyes and I furiously nibbled the inside of my cheek hard to distract myself from the emotion. How could I have been so stupid? This is what Ant had been discussing with Jase late last night. "He's someone we can trust", like I was meant to take his word for it. Ant had been called back and decided to position Jase as his substitute, but why on earth would Jase have agreed? What was possibly in it for him? My distrust grew into a horrible gnawing swell of fury and upset deep in my stomach.

"Paige Phillips?" The nurse called down the corridor. I raised my hand slightly and walked towards her in a dream. Nightmare would be more accurate. She handed me a bag bulging with vitamins and supplements. "Take them as directed- every day with a meal."

"Thank you," I muttered, clutching the paper bag to my chest along with the heavy information pack I'd been issued with. I checked the time on the slim phone I'd been given, 3pm... Ant would be waiting. The meeting with Lorres and Jack had dragged on so long, and I was then ushered towards the medical wing to retrieve a prescription. I trudged through the corridor to the main car park wearily, I felt so confused and hurt by Ant's lack of compassion. But then, why was I surprised?

"Paige," Ant opened the door of the sleek Volvo saloon. I'd avoided him all morning, and only had enough time to hear his pledge to pick me up after my meeting before I jumped in the car Lorres had sent for me.

"Is it any surprise to you that they've posted Jason as my personal bodyguard?" I stood some four strides away from Ant in the San Diego breeze, unwilling to be closer to him than I had to right now. Ant was silent for some time, only the faint noise of traffic from outside the base lingering in the air.

"No," he said eventually. "Can you get in the car? We'll talk quickly."

"I don't want to get in the car with you," I stated obstinately, gripping the paper bag tighter.

"Paige," he paced around the open door, shucking any benevolence as he strode directly at me. I stood my ground somehow with a strength inside I certainly didn't feel. "It's happening whether you like it or not, I have to be on a plane in one hour- I don't have time to tiptoe around the matter. Get in the car, and we can talk about this."

Ant's impatient order snapped at my heels, my legs moved forward without my knowing I'd decided to obey him. I sat in the passenger seat, pulling the seatbelt across my lap until the fastening clicked into place. I clutched the bag of medication tighter still, utterly conflicted. Ant sat beside me, leaving the engine to purr softly as we both remained quiet.

"It's not about... how you feel. Or what you're comfortable with. I'm sorry, I wish it could be. But it's about what's safe, and Jase is the most qualified man to see to that. I know you don't understand why I trust him, but maybe it's not for you to understand right now. Just know that the decision is with your best interests in mind," Ant drummed his thumb against the steering wheel, looking straight ahead out of the windshield to the dull grey building. The familiar cloak of numbness cocooned me. What was the point in arguing? The part of me wanting to scream in fury that I wasn't a child, was fading fast. What was the use in fighting back? "It's happening whether you like it or not".

"You'll miss your plane- go straight there, I'll drive myself back," I said despondently.

"Jase can drive you back," Ant eased the car on to the freeway, the matter was settled without any need for my consultation. Like hell he will.

The views over the Coronado Bridge of clear blue horizon turned to lush greenery as we entered the island. Coronado was much prettier than mainland San Diego, and we streamed down the spit of land in a straight line until we reached the air base. Ant flashed a pass at the gate, the same one I realised I'd been issued with by my new faithful logistics manager. The car weaved around wide roads across the huge base, which I now realised took up more than half of the island. I'd thought the mainland base was large, but this was colossal. Ant pulled up into a parking space in a large lot behind a series of hangars. For as far as I could see there was grey asphalt, taxiways and runways carved into the land with hangars and lots full of stationary helicopters. The engine plunged into precipitous silence. What was there to say now? Thanks for... what exactly? I did owe him thanks, I could acknowledge that much. I owed him my life technically speaking.

"Thanks for all that you've done," I offered reluctantly, avoiding his blue gaze.

"Paige," Ant turned and bore his eyes into my profile. "You will be okay, and please trust me on what I said. I'll be two weeks at the longest, but I'll be in touch with Jase regularly. He will look after you, believe me when I say that." I nodded in acceptance, for no other reason than to stop him from talking. Ant looked through his window as the door of a large black SUV swung to a close, and watched Jase stroll to a mutual point of meeting. "You will be okay, Paige. And I'll see you soon."

"Ha- see you soon," I muttered softly. In some strange regressed default I almost called 'have a good flight!'

I silently observed Ant retrieve a bag from the boot of the car and halt to exchange a few words with Jase before walking on to the hangar. As his figure stalked into the distance Jase opened the rear door to his truck, retrieving luggage of some kind. I seized the opportunity to make a decision of my own. I'd said I would prefer to drive myself home, and so I would. I fumblingly slid across to the driver's seat and pressed the engine button to a start. The car was new and smooth enough to not create any loud rumbling groan of attention as it came to life, so I hastily clipped the seatbelt into place and took a last frantic look at where Jase was placing a duffel on the ground, rummaging in his pocket for something. I eased my foot down on the accelerator and backed out of the spot, ignoring the blur of Jase's body turning in surprise. I sped up as quickly as I could in the lot, taking a chance with a right turn and following the signs to the exit. As soon as I was on the base's long main road I hurtled the Volvo down towards the gates.

I suddenly panicked as the guarded entrance came into view, realising I'd left the pass inside the folder on the passenger seat next to me. It would cost me time to retrieve it, but as I reached the barrier it lifted automatically. No need to check you as you exited, I supposed. My heart drummed in my chest as I sped down the freeway, checking my mirrors diligently for any sign of the large SUV. Why was his car as intimidating as he was? It was such a cliché. My hands were clammy all the way down 4th Street, and the rush of mild hysteria didn't let up until I left the bridge. I managed to still my racing heart until I pulled into the Naval residents community, tearing the folder open in the adjacent seat to retrieve the access pass. What if he somehow beat you to it? What if he's angry? What if there are repercussions? I nodded to the guard at the gates and showed the pass, pressing down on the gas as soon as I was let through the threshold. I hurtled the car into a spot in the parking lot in front of the large building, grabbing everything off the passenger seat and exiting the vehicle as quickly as I could.

I was out of breath by the time I reached the elevator, which was ridiculous considering the extent of my physical exertion was a hasty walk practically on the tips of my toes across the parking lot to the main door. I jabbed the button to force the doors to a close, cuddling the folder and bag close to me. Nearly back, nearly back. Why was I so afraid? What could he be so mad about? Perhaps I hadn't heard Ant say Jase would be driving. Perhaps I'd forgotten and on autopilot I drove myself to the apartment. There was no proof I deliberately slipped through his fingers, and it wasn't as though I was leaving him without a means of transport. He had his own car, one I predicted would be pulling up next to the Volvo any time now.

I shuttled down the corridor as soon as the elevator doors scraped open, fumbling for the key in my pocket. My fingers were slick with nerves and my trembling hands could barely grasp the metal properly. I jumped as I heard the elevator doors close to begin its descent for the next passenger, probably to ferry Jase to my door. The key finally turned and I threw myself into the apartment, slamming the door hard.

What did I do now? Did I lock it? Should I barricade myself in my bedroom? And then lock myself in the bathroom? Or would a nonchalant approach work best- a lazy recline on the sofa reading through paperwork and deny all knowledge of evading him? Would he even be able to get in? Perhaps he would knock, or maybe Ant had given him his-

The scrape of a key against the door set the hairs on the back of my neck on end. Breathe.