Valerie x Jayce

Jace grumbled awake, as the blaring alarm on the phone went off signalling it was time to start the day.  Rolling over, he reached over to his nightstand to grab his phone to turn it off. Quickly tapping the screen to turn it off, he tossed it down beside him while he stared up at the ceiling. It was still dark in his room and he could barely make out the spinning of the fan blades above him as he peered off into the darkness listening to the almost silent hum it made.  Everyday during the weekdays for the past 5 years he woke up like this.  He didn’t necessarily hate his job, it was the best paying one and in his line of work when he first was approached by the company.  It was what he was good at, so he didn’t mind it, especially the adrenaline that coursed through his veins when he was sent out on assignments. The past few months was probably the busiest he had been. Promises about a higher salary kept coming from higher up in his company, but they came with special assignments that, well might not have been ethical.  He had begun to notice a certain pattern about some of his targets, where they worked, what they did somehow all felt connected in some way. But hey, he wasn’t complaining, it was a better life than the military which he was employed before this current job.  Before, he had been part of a covert unit tasked with reconnaissance and quiet take downs. This was one of the reasons this particular company had approached him after his time with the military came to an end. They needed discreet, and that was his life ever since…
He shut his eyes as painful memories washed over him causing him to twist to his side facing his nightstand. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes noting the small rays of sunshine that poked through the curtains as the sun gradually peered out and over the horizon starting the new day. Jace’s eyes flicked over to his nightstand where they settled on a small picture frame, now many years old.  Today was the anniversary of Valerie’s death. While he had accepted it many years ago, this day always haunted him as he remembered back to that summer day 9 years ago when he was 19.  He had been in college when he first met her.  The next year was one of the best that the couple had experienced, having moved in together near the middle of their sophomore year in college.  It was then that the pain had grasped his heart. Memories flashed across his eyes as he recalled picking up the phone that afternoon and hearing the news. He had been in disbelief as the officer on the phone called him to come down to the station to identify her charred belongings.  As tears welled up and dripped down his face, he remembered going into the station and confirming that the engagement with their name on it was hers. They couldn’t find any other remains since the chemical explosion in the lab had apparently burned everything to a crisp except for metals like the ring.
The following months were the worst of his life, as he had dropped out of college soon after and stumbled around drinking his life away.  Somehow one of his friends dragged him to a local recruitment office for the military where he signed up committing to spend the next 8 years with them.  He had nothing else in his life to do, so why not, he thought, it would give him something to do.  Thus for the next 8 years he had trained and built himself back up as they whipped him into shape to be who he was today.
Clenching his fist, he swung his feet off the bed and got up to get ready to go to work. Turning his head away from his nightstand he walked to his bathroom to begin his morning routine that he had done for the past 5 years.

The metal was cold against her spine, through her thin cotton shirt. It had kept her awake for weeks before she got used to it. Though no matter how hard she tried, her mind was always alert. Unable to calm itself, as though it was prepared for anything. This is what they had done to her. Her light eyes concentrated on the pearl white ceiling, hands by her sides. Palms laid flat against the cool metal table. Naturally, her chest rose and fell slowly. Valerie always knew to wake up at least 5 minutes before. The sound of a door opening did not make her move a single inch, though she was able to identify who the heavy steps belong to in an instant. Pale hands touched her skin, tilted her head to the side. She knew by now not to move, an older man coming into view. Before a bright light shined into her eye, left and then right. She did not wince, she did not show any facial expression.
“Very well, 2754. Lendon, Valerie. Sit up. Relax.
Not a moment of hesitation, her legs brought themselves over the table. Back straight, vision ahead. It took her a pause to finally release a long exhale, rolling her shoulders backwards and tilting her neck to each side to stretch out the tenseness. Her vision smoothly found the male’s eyes, a slight nod of acknowledgement.
“Good morning.” Her voice was delicate, not as though she had just woken up. It was stern. Empty. Her feet touched the ground. A singular mirror stood in front of her. Her cheeks were hollow, her frame thin though built with enough muscle. Her dark locks fell straight to her spine, tucked behind her ears. Blue eyes pierced her reflection, the woman who stood in front of her was one that she could not recognize. Once filled with life, she almost looked as though her soul was missing from her body.
Valerie worked for a company. One that always obtained what they wanted. Doing things the right way, or the wrong way. Anything in order to win against the company against them. She did not work in an office, she did not speak unless spoken to. She barely saw the light of day unless it was for one purpose. The purpose to take life from others. It all began 9 years ago. 
They had taken everything from her. Her past life. She had no recollection of it. Names, or faces. Were all unknown. They trained her well, to forget. To forget things that she wished she could remember. Though she could remember the things, she wished she could forget. 
“Do you remember this man?”
Tears stained her cheeks, a picture displayed itself on the screen in front of her. A face. In particular. At this stage, she could not remember him. Though she could feel it within. The way her brain would react to his features, the curve of his jaw. The lines near his lips and the bridge of his nose. The pain that spread through out her chest. Unable to form her words to the question, she could still remember the sudden struggle of her arms strapped down with leather.
“No— Please, no. Please.” Her throat felt as though it was being ripped apart as she screamed, her chest quivering from the amount of tears that escaped her eyes. The pain, that impacted her skull was unbearable. And her screams filled up the room.
It was inhumane.
Though it was the past.
They trained her to know five languages fluently. To beat her down until every inch of her body was bruised. To feel the pain of a broken rib, without flinching or making a sound. She never missed a shot, she never aimed incorrectly. She would always hit a target. And that was exactly what they wanted. To create something, someone. With a pretty face but that was able to take away a life in seconds. They worked on her, invested on her for 9 years. Valerie was an unknown, pronounced dead during occurrence at a lab. She always wondered what she did in her past life, though according to her death. She had assumed she was some sort of researcher.
“We have something very special planned for you today Valerie.”
The man’s voice brought her back to what she knew as reality. Her head shifting away from the mirror to look at him. The smirk on his lips, made her know exactly what was planned. She was going to kill someone.

An hour and a half later Jace swiped his keycard on the reader and waited for authorization. It was never simple to get into this place, Jace thought, stepping back a few feet so the camera up above could verify he was alone.  An audible beep echoed across the underground parking garage as the lock shifted to allow entry.  Surprisingly they didn’t have much security down here, except for the camera system that covered just about every angle. Gripping the handle and pulling the door open, he was greeted by a blast of cool air as he stepped inside. His body twitched for a second as he got used to the new temperature inside. Moments later, the ding by the elevator bell caught his attention and he stepped inside.  The company he worked for was a multi purpose one dealing in many different fields. Outside, it was disguised as a large office building, where the day to day operations where held. However, underground it was a different story.  That was where he worked, in sector 3C, a few levels underneath where he already was.  Letting loose a long yawn, he punched in the code and the elevator went on it’s way down to his floor.
Time slowly moved by as Jace filed paperwork from last week's assignments. He didn’t know why he had to make all these formal reports if they were going to get incinerated shortly after his boss read them.  After all, what he did was not in the books, and as far as the above ground portion of the company knew, he didn’t exist.  The less people that knew, the better Jace had told himself over and over again. For one, it was a way to protect what he did, and secondly it was a way to protect others.  He knew full well that the department's down here would take full advantage of using his friends or people he cared about to their advantage, essentially holding them hostage. Which is why 5 years ago, he severed any last ties he had to his friends and had moved to this city. Here he was a nobody, blending in with everyone else as they went about their days.  It didn’t even hurt him. The move, the dropping all contact with those back home.  Perhaps it was his time in the military that had trained him to be this way. This cold and unforgiving person. Or it might have been the day the love of his life vanished from his grasp, dying in that tragic explosion. Maybe it was the drugs and alcohol that had fucked him up the next year after, the many ER visits proving he was just barely dangling from this world.  Whatever the cause, he had gotten to where he was today by forgetting those emotions, those feelings that made people weak.  Gone was his old life, and in with what he knew best.
The buzzing on his desk snapped him out of the past.  It was time for his briefing this week.
Pressing the small intercom button on the phone, he politely responded. “I’ll be right in” Without hesitation, he grabbed his things and headed for the small conference room on the far side of the floor. Knocking twice, and then pushing the heavy wooden door open, he nodded to the people inside and sat down in the empty seat. The briefing went by fast as usual, and he was given his assignment for the week. Having quickly looked at the file, he noted it fit the previous pattern that he was beginning to see.  Not that he cared or anything, it was interesting to see the company engage in corporate warfare, by taking out key members of their biggest opponent.  A few months ago he had traveled to Switzerland to silently remove a Swiss researcher from this world without a trace. His trips and targets varied but all had the end goal of killing the individual.  Firmly shaking their hands at the end of the briefing, he retraced his earlier steps that day and hopped in his car. This was going to be another long week Jace thought, pulling his car out of the garage. Instead of turning left to go back home, he turned right to head to the safe-house to prepare for this next mission.

The company had found a liking for the bright shade of white. There was not a single spot of colour as she was guided into a larger room. There was only silence between the four individuals that sat at a table, waiting for her. All lined up, pairs of eyes following her every movement until she sat down. The presence of the older man stayed standing to her left.
“Good to see you are doing well, Valerie.” A deep voice, male. About the age of 52. Left handed, very capable of holding her eyes in a glance. Her lips did not move from their straight line at his words. Nor did she nod in acknowledgement. Valerie waited patiently. A silence lingered for a moment before the shift of a folder was placed in front of her.
Her glance shifted downwards, fingertips coming upwards to flip the folder open.
“Your typical target. I’ll just warn you that he is heavily trained. Military. We have been observing him for some time now, I think it’s safe to eradicate him from the map.”
From the amount of people in the room, of high status, she knew this man wasn’t her typical target. She questioned it, though did not dare to show the questioning in her eyes. Instead, she dragged her finger across the file delicately. Reading the words in her head.
A young man, exactly her age. Though a couple of months older. She wondered if in another life, she would ever meet him. Normally on the street, or in a classroom. If she closed her eyes for long enough, she could remember the feeling of peace. Calm, still water that did not move or flow in any direction. Usually, this was not the case. Her mind was always full of tactics. Busy with thoughts of how easy it was to observe. The room was tense, waiting for something. Valerie could feel it in the energy, the way these men observed her so closely as though they were anticipating for something to happen, leaning forward in their chairs.
Her fingertips picked up the small rectangular cut picture, perhaps a picture that would belong on a license or a passport. This face. The curve of his jaw, the lines near his lips. The bridge of his nose. She shifted her eyes upwards, to meet with the 52 year old man’s. Keeping her facial expression, expressionless. She closed the folder.
“How do you want it done, Sir? Clean or Messy.” The tension escaped the room, long exhales. Eyes back to her face. She kept the picture underneath the palm of her hand. Wondering if anyone had noticed.
The smirk on the man’s lips was the second she had seen today.
“Do it in any way you please. Have it done tonight, as quick as possible. A license plate number along with his apartment address has been given to you.”
A few more words were exchanged before they stood from their seats. She stayed sitting until they left the room. A hand came down on her shoulder. Violet stood, turning to exit the room.
“I will leave you to prepare.”
They parted ways in the white hall, placing her thumb on a scanner. Waiting to hear a click from the door, she pushed it open. This room was like the others, all white. Except for the black weaponry that hung from the walls. Valerie stripped herself from the white cotton jumpsuit, the fabric that now covered her body was a thick black leather. Her skin was not shown, long sleeves, long pants. It covered every inch of her body except for her face. Her hair still fell over her shoulders straightly. The small picture of the male tucked away in her breast pocket. She connected a half face mask to the uniform. Covering her mouth and nose to hide her identity. Though her eyes were completely exposed, blue and vibrant against the contrast.(edited)
Pistols and small knives hid against her body as she walked out of the room. White surrounded her until she arrived at the exit. A small nod from a man allowed her to leave and after a couple of minutes she was crouching to sit inside of a leather seat. Pressing her foot to the gas petal as she made her way to the pit of the city.

An hour later, he pulled into the dirt road outside the city limits.  The car, bouncing along the road that was filled with potholes.  The windy and long dirt road curved through the dense forest of pine trees as the black sedan drove further in.  Finally Jayce spotted the small wooden cabin that seemed to almost blend right into the surroundings.  Stepping out of the car, he took a moment to stretch his legs out. He hated tight and cramped spaces since he was always too big for them. On flights he would always have to upgrade to a seat with better legroom. But he didn’t have a seat to upgrade in the small company car they made him drive around. Of course it wasn’t just a normal car they had told him.  Due to the nature of his job, it was equipped with bulletproof glass and a strengthened aluminum frame in case it was battered over and over.  That wasn’t the only feature, of course, in the trunk, there was a secret compartment to store his collection of weapons that he favored using.  It was empty now, since he wasn’t able to carry the heavy firearms. He had no badge and did not work for the government, so if he was searched by the police, he would have some serious explaining to do.  That was the reason for his trip out here. Technically the property was his, but was purchased through different “hidden” accounts so that it couldn’t be traced back to his company. Every 6 months he would get a shipment of new weapons fitted with the latest and greatest.
Slamming the car door shut, he walked over to the front door, and entered his passcode.  Despite looking like an old log cabin, it was relatively modern. The security system and lab underground made it a decent place to hideout if needed.  The shelves down there were stocked with ammunition, a few assault rifles and 2 sniper type rifles.  He had a wide desk against the wall down there in which he cleaned his weapons and made his own bullets.  The pine stale air hit his nostrils as he inhaled the warm air looking around inside.  Just like how he left it, simple but each item had it’s use.  On the left wall, there was a small fireplace, enough to heat the cabin in the winter, and a couch facing it. The walls had some landscape photography with the occasional deer head or bear head hung as a trophy.  During “off-times” he would go hunting to keep up his aim. Thus the trophies on the wall, and the deerskin carpets that covered parts of the floor were from his mini adventures in the woods surrounding the cabin.  Setting down his briefcase on the table, he went over to the wall and pressed a few buttons on the thermostat to get some cool air circulating.
For the next few hours he he planned to review the documents they had given him on his target and come up with a strategy for it. His time in the military had made him organized and strategic, always needing a game plan.  Bringing his hand up to his neck, he gave it a slight squeeze as he sat down by the table.  The natural light shining in through the windows was still bright enough to see inside, so he didn’t need to turn on the lights just yet. Tapping his finger on the manilla folder for a second as he prepared himself to focus and concentrate on work, he thumbed it open to the first page. This page always was the same, except for different faces.  In the top left, was a picture of his target with a paperclip holding it to the sheet, with the targets personal information on the right beside it. Name: David Clarke, Age 32, Occupation Drug Analyst, read the list on the right.  Apparently from the briefing he had heard earlier in the day, he must be working on an experimental new drug that would be a problem for one of the company's investments. Sighing, Jayce flipped the page as his mind wandered through all the information soaking it up. Making careful notes on his daily schedule and routine. 30 minutes later, Jayce found himself squinting as the light outside wasn’t enough anymore.  Even though it was only 4:00 in the afternoon, the pine trees had obscured most of the light that was supposed to shine down. Sitting up straight and stretching his back, he spoke out to no one except his home automation system. “Ok Google, turn on my lights”

Where Valerie had been, was very isolated from society. Surrounded by forest. It would be impossible to find unless someone searched throughly. If someone did find them, they were always on the tip of their toes ready to fight back if needed. Valerie was not the only one. There were many, just like her. Who were sent out to the city, or beyond their city to eradicate ones that interfered closely to the company's success. If anything, she was just a number that could easily be put away if she failed to comply. Though currently, she was their prize possession. They had invested too much time and money, in order to make her the perfect predator.
Small drops of rain stuck to the windshield, rolling down slowly to the sides as she drove. An hour had already passed, she let the vehicle take control as it drove down a straight rocky path, flickering her eyes upwards occasionally from the file that she had in her lap. She already had a plan spread out in her mind, it only took her a moment to formulate it. Valerie always did her job successfully, easily. It was why the company had favourited her, and kept her so close. Her identity still remained unknown. Though she knew, the other company knew of her briefly. Because they were doing the same thing. People had gone missing, or found lifeless that were part of her own company. From the research they had done, he was a young male. From shot wounds, they were able to identify that his dominant hand was his right. By the bullet, the gun was most likely an assault rifle. Probably his weapon of choice.
For the time being, she placed the half face mask aside to allow herself to breathe calmly.
This time as she flicked her eyes upwards, she could see the city. The lights. Because of the clouds and the weather, it was a little darker than usual. As she got to her destination, it would be about 1530 hours. The buildings surrounding her were tall, skyscrapers. Something about the city made her feel very comfortable. She wouldn’t be surprised if she lived in a busy environment during her past life. Her hands now on wheel, she turned into a close by parking garage. A small symbol carved into the wall beside the entrance, was the hidden symbol of her company. She was about 5 minutes away from the victims apartment building. She grabbed a trench coat, pulling it over her black tight uniform. She wrapped a modern grey scarf around her nose and mouth to hide the half face mask underneath that fit perfectly over her features.(edited)
Lowering her head, she walked down the rainy streets. With a black umbrella over her head. Getting into the building lobby was too easy, an older woman scanned in her card. She caught the door behind her, holding it open. Slipping inside. Closing her umbrella. Valerie found the staircase, untying the trench coat from around her waist and removing the scarf. She let the fabric puddle to the floor before looking at the number beside the door. She needed to get up to the fifth floor. The stairs would take her there easily. Opening the door to the floor, she poked her head out. Paused. Before letting herself scan the door numbers. A couple of steps, she now stood in front of the door 508. She knew no one was home, she shook the nob slightly. Inserting a small lock pick, the door clicked open easily. Valerie stepped into the darkness, closing the door behind her. No alarm system. Carpet underneath her feet. She stepped, looking at the surrounding. Something inside of her, a feeling of similarity. As she closed her eyes for a moment too long, she swore she could have seen the apartment filled with natural sunlight. Though when she opened her eyes again, all she saw was the darkness. Still, untouched furniture. Her hand found her pistol, making sure her magazine was filled. Her fingertips ran over the small knives that curved flat into her thigh.
As she lifted her wrist to her vision, it read. 1630
“Any moment now.” She whispered to herself. Though she let her curiosity wander, stepping forward into the bedroom. Where an unmade bed, scattered sheets. A picture frame, faced down on the night table. Valerie took a step forward, hand reaching out. Interrupted by the sound of the door clicking. He was home.

Lost in his thoughts, Jayce’s head was filled with information, tactics and possible plans. He always immersed himself in his victims life in order to live and breathe as they would.  The reminder on his phone, brought him out of his thoughts. Yawning, it was time to pack the car. In another thirty minutes or so he would be getting hungry, so best be to head back to his apartment soon.  Twenty limits later, the sedan was packed and ready to go.  He turned the engine on to let the inside of the car cool down from the summer heat while he tidied up around the cabin.   He’d be back soon after the deed was done. Turning off the ac, he looked around once more saying the same old phrase to turn off his lights. Shutting the door behind him, he hopped in his car and headed back.
Jayce lived almost in the center of town.  The area was a mixture of office buildings, high rises, restaurants, shops and apartment buildings.  In itself, it was like a small city, everything you needed was within a 5-10 minute walk. For entertainment however, besides local pubs with live music, one had to travel a little more around the city to find the theaters music halls, or sports facilities.  His apartment faced east, overlooking a boardwalk that circled around an open area with a small dog park nestled in the middle. Jayce’s apartment currently was actually the very same apartment he and Valeria had stayed in for the summer those many years ago. It was a vacation of sorts, mostly to get away from their nagging families and see what true peacefulness felt like before returning to Uni the next fall. They shared so many memories in this apartment together. The months of being actually together, seeing each other, waking up looking in each others eyes, created the bond that still gripped at his heart. Sometimes, Jayce had nightmares, that he’d like to forget he had, of waking up in the morning, looking into her deep beautiful eyes, kissing her nose, and then it all had come crashing down and the nightmares would end in the fire. These dreams had occurred more during the years right after the tragedy, but had gotten less and less as time flew by.  As much as he tried to move on and get over her, she was always there inside of him, like a missing puzzle piece that was close, but always out of grasp. It was why he had moved here, to this exact apartment, the one they had shared many years ago.  He wanted to remember her in the happiest light they had been in together.
Pausing for a second as memories flashed in his head, Jayce looked out at the bustling city landscape outside the entrance to his apartment. The car horns, shouting, laughter all filled the air, and he smiled for once happy to be home. Reaching out to swipe his keycard, he pushed the swinging door back and headed inside the building. The elevator up, was the same as always, slow and boring, they never did change the music in there, even during the holidays. As the metal doors opened up, he made his way to his room, twisting the key and unlocking the door, before pushing inside. “Home sweet home” He muttered out, not in a bad way, just emotionless.  Jayce tossed his keys into the little tray he kept by the door. He had always lost his keys in the past, either in his laundry or somewhere else, and having a place to put them, he never lost them again.  Twisting his neck side to side to crack it, he sighed and headed for his bedroom. Enough work for today. He was going to take a shower, cook dinner and watch a show or movie to end the night.  Turning the corner he froze. A dark figure was standing, facing him in the doorway to his bedroom. He or she, he couldn’t tell which, was barely illuminated by the hall light he had turned on. The rest of the apartment was dark since he had closed the blinds and curtains when he left earlier that day.  Jayce had flinched in the seconds that dragged by like hours.  Usually he would be able to react quickly whenever he was caught off guard. But there was something that froze his soul.  The light from behind him had flickered off his intruders eyes and caused him to freeze like this. Something about the intruders eyes had caught his own, there was something, familiar about them. Finally he felt the adrenaline flow through his veins again and he spun around to try and get a knife from the kitchen, the hidden guns were too far away.

The victims face in person, was always different than in the picture. Perhaps the picture she had been given was a couple of years old, because he looked as though he had aged. His features more slim, though his shoulders broader. His body much more built. From military training, most definitely. There was something about his face, that made her freeze the same as him. They spent a split second simply glancing at each other, her heart seemed to still inside of her chest. Only to suddenly hammer harshly against her ribs when her mind processed everything in higher speed. Her hands found her hip almost instantly, a finger coming to remove the safety and cock it back. She found herself around the bed in an instant, right hand gripping onto her pistol. Valerie scanned the dark room, the kitchen completely open concept she could see his body. If she really wanted to, she would plant a bullet between his shoulder blades. Or perhaps, pierce both of his kidneys. Or a simple bullet to the back of the head. Though she wasn’t finished with him yet. There was something about him. In her mind, she tried to put the pieces together. Why had all those people been there during her briefing? Why had they examined her so closely? They had given it away. This man. Was in her memories. Deep down, locked inside though struggling to escape. She brought her arm upwards, pointing her pistol directly as his spine. Taking a couple of steps. Valerie was somewhat close to him. Six or seven paces away.
“Turn around, Jayce.”
She normally did not speak to her victims, it gave away part of her identity. Even though the victims usually had a bullet in their heads within seconds. It was always a ‘what if’. Though this victim was different. She waited for him to follow her instructions, her finger trembling lightly on the trigger. Part of her wanted to do it now. Wanted to get it over with, though her mind screamed at her. Yelled at her to put the pistol down. She couldn’t realize why. Her hand came over to the side of her face, removing the half mask from her skin. She let it roll out of her palm, hit the ground. Exposing her face to him. It was a risky decision, though one that she felt determined to make. Valerie, she knew him. She could feel it within her. Who was he? Why was she having such a difficult time taking his life away from him? She closed her eyes for a moment too long. His eyes. In her vision, full of light. Hair messy over his forehead. Rays of light shinning over his face, and his smile. A smile of pure happiness.
The pistol shook in her palm, as she inhaled sharply. Finger so very close to pulling the trigger. It dropped. Hit the ground harshly. Her hands coming to her head, pain pulsed through it. Palms trembling. Valerie took a couple of steps back until her spine was against a wall. She let out a sound of pain, tears welling in her eyes until they escaped and rolled down her face.

Jayce didn’t get far from his attacker. The audible click of the gun in the silent room rang through his ears. His eyes darted around the dimly lit room for cover in the brief milliseconds he had left. Placing his right foot forward he prepared to dive and try to avoid the shot. It never came however, instead an icy voice echoed in the room. This was it. His final breaths labored heavily as he caught his breath. When people say life flashes before your eyes in your final moments, they were right.  Jayce’s eyes were shut as he pictured just how close he was at escape.  Feeling that hopelessness fill his body.  He was always at that other end, seeing the look in his victim's eyes, their plea to stay alive. As Jayce relived every moment of his life, the ones with Valerie had burned into his memory. Her touch, her smile, the way she looked at him all came crashing down onto him and through his closed eyes he let out a single tear.  It was time. Whatever afterlife there was, he was getting ready to meet her again. If he had to pay for his sins in this world first, then so be it. But his love for her was stronger than anything he had felt, and he knew he would meet her soon.
In that heartbeat, hearing the gun, hearing his attacker telling him to turn around. He could only imagine the gun was already aimed at him, ready to shoot a bullet right through his head. Finally his work had caught up to him. People were beginning to take notice and spies sent out to figure out who the man was that had been killing their own.  Jayce raised his hands slowly beside his head and turned around slowly. He was still slightly turned to the side, so he could just barely see his attacker. The light now showing her features better. His attacker was a she, at least he could tell by the hair that fell from her face. As he turned closer, he saw the wavering hand, the shaking hand that held it up at him. Now was his chance, his eyes flicked back to the kitchen where he spotted the weapon he was going for. But in that brief moment, he heard a thump on the floor and as he looked back, he froze.  The gun had dropped to the floor and the woman had backed against the wall to his bedroom. He could barely make out her features, her hands covering and hiding her face. Her quiet scream started his mind racing. What was going on he thought. Why had she suddenly stopped and backed away like this instead of ending him then and there.  But that scream had jogged something in his memory. It was familiar. As his mind struggled to come up with possibilities, his heart almost stopped in his chest.  He had too preoccupied to notice before since he was staring death in the face with an attempt to bargain for life once more.  Her voice. He could never forget that voice that had been engraved into his head so many years ago. Dumbfounded he lowered his shaking arms and tried to steady his voice. “Valerie… is that you?”

“Why are you even in love with me, Jayce?” They had been laying down in tall grass that day around dawn. The sky full of colour, from orange to bright red. She had been glancing upwards, hands resting on her stomach as she spoke. Her head tilted to the side to look at him. She remembered distinctly the colours displaying on his skin, making his eyes seem lighter than usual
“You can’t be serious, Val.” Laughter, so pleasant to the ears. His voice was filled with baritones, deep and soothing. She took a long breath, feeling a sudden weight on top of her. Her own smile came upon her lips, arms withering around his neck. Her eyes casted downwards to look at his lips form the next couple of words, but no sound came from them. She couldn’t remember them. Valerie watched the next couple of things play out in a silent blur. They had taken a picture that day together.
Her eyes opened to meet with a darkness, her hands moving themselves from her features. Tears had rolled down to meet her chin, a trembling hand wiped them away. Air entered her lungs, her head tilting back to rest against the wall. Reassuring herself that the pain was over. That voice, matched the memory. Distinctly. It was shaking, no matter how hard he tried to steady it. She shook her head, refusing to believe this was happening. They had blocked these memories within her for a reason. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and after a pause, she leaned herself off of the wall. The picture. In an instant, she was in the bedroom. Around the bed. A slight amount of hesitation, her hand reached for the picture. Picked it up from its facing down stance. She observed it. Dropped it. Took many steps away from it. Her face with still, in that picture. Full of life, smiling. As though she had truly been happy. It terrified her. Terrified her that once, in her past life she had been that content. Valerie couldn’t remember how that felt like. The emotion of joy, or love. Or whatever they shared. They. Shared. He knew he before this, before everything was taken away from her. She couldn’t stop her heart from pounding so very rapidly against her ribs. One of her hands coming to her throbbing head.
“Who are you? How do you—“ She stopped, in disbelief. Turning to glance at him directly where he stood.

Hearing her voice again, he confirmed it was her.  He could never forget it, even after all these years.  Everything he trained himself to push back and forget came crashing forth in those few minutes in his apartment. Jayce was still in disbelief as he felt his knees grow weak and body go numb.  He wasn’t sure when he had dropped to the floor, but now here he was sitting on his knees knelt down in front of her.  Jayce didn’t know what to feel, while tears started to pour out of his eyes, dripping down his face, he kept telling himself that she was dead and it wasn’t actually her.  She had died in that fire on campus, the police had found her ring in the fire, the very same one he kept on his nightstand.  Yet as he looked up at her in front of him, he could make out her face better through his watery eyes.  She looked exactly the same as when they were separated, save for some minor aging differences, Valerie, or whom he thought was her, was there standing in front of him.
As he interpreted her words finally, his breath got caught in his throat.  If this was really her, why was she asking who he was, why was this woman behaving as she did.  Nothing made sense to him anymore.  Why didn’t she go looking for him if she was still alive.  Why after all these years did she show up now.  His thoughts were flying by in his head as he tried to understand the situation.  Fear and panic washed over him as his next thought hit him.  His eyes grew wide as he looked at the ground in front of him and back up to the woman.  Why had she pointed a gun at him, why did she act like a killer.  This couldn’t have been Valerie, she would never harm anyone else or hurt them. But yet, why, why did she look and sound just like her.  Reaching his hand out, he grabbed the gun and shuffled backwards on the floor.  Extending his arm out towards her, he shakily held it pointed at her while he pushed himself back to his feet.  Years of military training had kicked in, he could never trust his emotions he was taught, instead trust facts.  Doctors had confirmed she had died those many years ago in the fire and he had the ring to prove it.  Trying to control his voice he let out a shaky reply.
“My name is Jayce, although if you were sent here to kill me, you already knew that…” As hard as he tried, he couldn’t get rid of his thoughts that this was Valerie in front of him and he began rambling. “Why.. Why do you look and sound just like Valerie.. The girl I fell in love with 9 years ago. What evil tricks does someone have to play to remind me of my awful past.  Who sent you, and why have they made you look almost exactly like her. She’s supposed to be dead… You’re supposed to be dead.”
Jayce realized he was almost yelling by the end, struggling to contain his emotions. He wanted this to be Valerie. He wanted that so bad, but he was a solid proof kind of person. The conflicting thoughts and emotions clouded his judgement.  As he awaited her response, he silently noted how he had moved the gun away from pointing at her without realizing it. Shaking his head trying to figure out what the hell was going on, Jayce held his breath.

Things had never been so difficult to comprehend. So many years of just being given instructions and following them without a moment of hesitation. Her mind had never stopped her, she never questioned any order given. Except for now. Now, looking down at the man in front of her. She begged for her minds to clarify, her memories. The ones so very locked away to peak through the cracks. Her begging got her no where. The only thing she could see underneath her eyelids was a sunrise. The colours pained through the sky, and a smile. It made her chest flood with pain. Not the pain of a broken rib, no bruises or cuts or any type of pain that she had learned to fight against. It was the pain of a broken heart. Her emotions scared her. Surprised her. Hit her like a truck and made all the air in her lungs disappear. There was something about seeing his face, in so much pain and in so much shock that hurt her this way. It was unexplainable. She couldn’t understand why her body was reacting this way.
“Jayce..” She said his name out loud. Feeling the way it felt to form the name, she repeated it one or two more times. Her voice cracking into pieces. Trying to open a part of her forgotten memories. Her eyes were full of tears, tears that dared to escape her eyes. This internal frustration would be the end of her. Part of her wanted the memories to stay locked away, to stop bothering her. Part of her wanted, needed to kill him. Though her body was weakened, by these chemicals inside of her brain. She watched him, she outline of his body in the dark. Valerie could still make out his every movement, his every drop of emotion that flooded his facial expressions. The flash of distress in his eyes. Valerie did not move, she watched his hands wrap around the gun. Watched him aim the barrel directly at her. From what he was saying. His words. He wouldn’t find it within to shoot her. Taking a couple of steps forward, her tears rolled down her cheeks until her forehead pressed up against the barrel.
His words had shocked her the most. Love? An emotion so strong, a bond that can not be pulled apart. Even beyond death. Was she the person he claimed she was? Had it really been nine years since she lived a normal life? A life she could remember. How had she supposedly die? So many questions entered her mind. Had she been in love with the man who now stood with a gun pointed at her head? He yelled at her. Showed his frustration, his shakeable anger. She took a breath.
“My name is Valerie Lendon. I am twenty-eight years old. I can’t remember anything of what my life used to be like-” Her voice shook, with emotion. No matter how hard she tried to steady it, she failed horribly. “I can’t answer all your questions, because I—“ A pause. “I don’t know the answers myself.”

The silence was broken as the woman in front of him spoke out his name.  It was just like he remembered it.  The way it rolled off her tongue, the tone in which she said it, sent shivers up his spine as he stood there across from her.  His eyes scanned across her face as she walked towards him.  Jayce could have told her to stop, but he didn’t.  Instead, while his head scrambled to make sense of everything going on, he didn’t have time to pull the gun away as she pressed her head up against it.  She could probably feel the shakiness in his grip, his hesitation in his eyes.  If this wasn’t actually Valerie he would be dead by now he thought while sliding his hand off the trigger.  Her next words only confirmed who she was.  Up close, she was his love.  Her eyes, her face, her hair and voice all were the same. He didn’t know how she was still alive, and according to her, she didn’t either.  Feeling the tears roll down his face at the final realization that this was actually Valerie, he relaxed his arm and put the safety on the gun letting it drop to the floor.  He didn’t care about the firearm anymore now that he had Valerie right in front of him.  Her distressed face and shaky voice confirmed she was telling the truth.  Whatever it was that the company did to her, he would try everything he could to get her memories back.
“It is you Valerie.. You’re exactly like how I remembered..”
Jayce took a step forward and wrapped his arms around her, embracing her in a tight hug.  He needed to feel her like this again suddenly.  It was like a hole had opened in his heart and she was there to patch it up, to complete it.  He didn’t care that she didn’t return the hug as he pulled away, before he scared her into doing something he might regret.  The confused and painful expression on her face made him think.  He had to do this the smart way.  He couldn’t lose her again, not after last time.  An idea formed in his head that could jog her memory.  Whoever she worked for, had obviously felt they were confident enough that she would not remember a thing about him. Meaning her brainwashing or mental blockage must be thick.  Furrowing his brow, he swiftly walked past Valerie and into his room towards his nightstand.  Just maybe this might shake something loose. Tugging on the dangling lightswitch, he turned on the lamp on his nightstand.  Kneeling down, he opened the drawer and rummaged through the contents inside until he found it.  The small black box was buried underneath a few things and had collected some dust.  Gripping it in his hand, he turned around and hurried back out to her, hitting the main light switch on the wall. Opening it up in front of her he took the ring out and held it between his fingers.  This was the same engagement ring he had given her, and the same one the police had found in the fire.  On the inside the phrase was still there, and that’s what he was hoping might help.  He had chosen the small phrase himself, not just because it was cheesy, but because he actually felt it.  Holding it out to her, he remembered the french phrase he had them inscribed, Je t’aimerai pour toujours, it read.
“Here.. Does this help your memory at all? Take a look at the inside too.. Meanwhile his heart beat in his chest, almost filling the silent room with the sound, as he was hoping this might help. Otherwise he might have to explain some things to her, and he wasn’t sure how interested she might be if she had forgotten that much.

Valerie hadn’t felt human compassion for three thousand two hundred and eighty five days. Tender human actions. The feeling of a warm embrace that held her so very closely. She could hear his struggled breathing, hear his heart pounding within his chest. She could feel the way his body melted into her naturally, as though he had hugged her millions of times before. Her body tensed. Arms by her sides. All the air in her lungs escaped her. Her body trying to comprehend what was occurring. Though she let him. She couldn’t feel exactly what he was feeling. Wasn’t able to understand it. But somehow could still feel it deep within her. They had tried to take everything from her. They weren’t able to take away parts of her emotions. Her body was used to him. Her mind and thoughts were not. Then he pulled away. She could finally breathe again.
Her eyes followed him through the dark room.
In this moment, she let her own questions of darkness take over. Why had they wanted to kill him? What had he done to cause difficulty to her company? She wouldn’t be able to take his life from him. Would she even be able to go back if she remembered? Valerie was lost in her own mind. There were two very distinct sides of her. One that wanted to know about who she was, live a normal life away from what she currently called living. The other loyal to her company, a killer. She had never thought about anything better, any other way. Even if she did leave, took her own route, they would do anything to retrieve their investment. Their property.
Blinking a couple times as the light turned on, she watched him approach her with a small black box. Something glimmered inside as he opened it. A moment of silence. They were engaged? Her heart dropped to the ground. Shattered in pieces. Was this what real emotional pain felt like? This agonizing? Valerie tried not to show her emotion of her face, though she had already failed. Her fingertips trembled as she took the ring from him. Examined it. Her lips formed the words that were engraved in the silver.
Valerie had always adored views. Views from nature most of all. She loved to take pictures and feel something when she looked at them. To have this feeling of being free, of being liberated. Perhaps that is why she could distinctly remember colours of the sky on certain days, or would hike up to the highest view. Though one summer they had really left. Her dream had always been to travel to France. Not to visit the Eiffel Tower. Not to see the Notre-Dame. To see the nature. To experience the food and the culture. It was about an hour before the sun began to go down. They were at a beach. She could remember by the feeling of sand against her bare feet and cold water running over them as they walked and pushed each other around. Her camera was around her neck. She remembered one distinct thing. He hated his smile. Though she loved it more than any view.
She was walking a little faster than him, camera up to her eyes. His sudden embrace from behind made her laugh. He had the tendency to attack her neck with his lips. Though this time he brought her downwards, into the sand. She fell onto of him.
“Jaaay, for the love of God—“ They were laughing together. He had shifted her to be underneath him. Her words interrupted by the contact of his lips. Though as he pulled away, she heard something that she did not expect.
“What?”
“Marry me, Val. It’s you. It’ll always be you.”
Valerie gasped out, she looked at him now. Both in a room. His eyes red and filled with tears. Her expression matching his own.
“I just— I need to feel something.” Her voice was shaking, so very delicate and threatening to shatter. She held the ring in her palm. Taking a single step towards him. Her other hand, her fingertips came to wipe his tears from his cheeks.
“Make me remember.”

The trembling fingers took the ring from his palm.  He wanted to desperately close his hand around hers, but he let it happen.  A part of him was relieved to see the ring back in her hands even if she didn’t remember it.  He relaxed his arm and closed the small box bringing it down to his side.  Awkwardly watching her face, he waited to see any change, any hint that the words or ring would stir something up.  She looked lost for a second, but her subtle gasp and expression told him that she had felt or remembered something.  While Jayce stood there, watching her approach him, he felt her soft hand on his face. Inhaling slowly he closed his eyes, cherishing her touch, the feeling of her fingers brushing away his tears.  His free hand lifted to his face to rest on top of her fingers on his cheek holding it there so that he could feel her touch longer.
Intertwining his fingers with her own, Jayce brought her fingertips to his lips.  She wanted him to help her, to make her feel and remember again.  As he brought each fingertip across his lips, he kissed them gently, lovingly, his compassion bleeding out in his actions. Still holding her hand, he raised it above her head, using it to rotate her body around like a dance move until her back was facing him.  Stepping close until their bodies touched, he lowered their arms until his arm was wrapped around her pulling them together.  Leaning in sensually, he pressed his lips right below her ear on her neck. It was a light kiss, hopefully one that would remind her.  His lips stuck to her skin slightly as he pulled back hovering close still letting out a soft whisper. “Did that remind you of anything?”
Suddenly the moment was lost.  His phone started buzzing in his pocket, the vibrations shared between their bodies.  Stepping back, he hurriedly reached into his jeans pocket to pull out his phone.  Swiping to answer, he raised it to his ear. “Hello? Ah yes, sure one second.” Spinning around, he walked over to his entryway and pressed the button on the small intercom. “Alright there you go. Yea, apartment 1630.. Ok great, see you in a second.” He said, hanging up the phone and walking back to Valerie.
“That was the pizza guy. I forgot I ordered pizza right before I got home.” A loud grumble filled the room. Thinking about the pizza had caused the sleeping giant in him to remind him how hungry he was.  He couldn’t wait to devour it, and no doubt Valerie would be hungry too.  After tonight he needed something to ease his senses.  While all he wanted to do was pull her into bed and hold her and never let go, he had to fight that urge because she didn’t know. She didn’t remember anything so he had to take it slow. He turned the corner and headed into the kitchen flipping on the cabinet lights.  Dodging the countertop island he grabbed the handle to the fridge and pulled it open leaning his head to the side back towards her. “I’m gonna have some wine if you would like some too” Saying with a grin, before reaching in pulling out a cheap bottle of red and white. Kicking the door shut he set down the bottles on the island, looking around for his bottle opener.  Even though they were cheap, they were still corked, and not simple twist caps that some had. Sighing once he found it he brought it to the bottles.  Tonight was unpredictable.  He didn’t know how things would go, he didn’t know how to approach the situation. Jayce did know however, that he loved the girl standing a few feet away from him and would do whatever it took to protect her and get her back.