“Is this your idea of what can help a girl during times of crisis?” I said, holding the towering swirly cup of pristine vanilla soft serve in my hands.

  “Why don’t you try it first,” Jack said, sitting across from me at a little table looking across from the majestic city fountain, spraying its chilly mist upon us, even from a distance. The soft sound of cycling water creating a white noise that enveloped me within the moment.

  With slight hesitation, I dove in, my tongue grazing the spire of the cold mountain peak and turning it into a smooth plateau. Instantly, my taste buds recoiled with jubilant sensation. “This...” I stopped, looking at the delectable treat, “this is incredible!” I delved back in, digging the spoon with furious intent and delivering it to my mouth wildly.

  “I told you,” Jack said, “best ice cream in the country.”

  I wanted to agree, despite not trying anything else, but also not wanting to stop long enough to speak while in the heat of a minor feast. The situation was difficult, but I'd be lying if I didn't think this took my mind off things...even just a tiny bit. It was that good.

  “So,” he followed up, after a moment of silence, “how was your Mom?”

  I shook my head, shelving the ice cream for a moment and gulping down the rest of a big bite. “She thinks I’m a terrible daughter,” I said. “Also, she seems to not have loved my Dad.” I sighed, leaning on my hand. “An illuminating conversation that only lasted a few minutes.”

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  Jack held quiet for a moment again, before reaching his hand across and placing it atop my own. “Maybe not now, maybe not ever, but what you’re doing to protect her...what you did to protect your Dad...could only be identified as something the best of daughters could do.”

  Water filled my eyes, as I briefly looked back up to Jack, before focusing back down and pushing the rapidly melting cup of ice cream further away.

  “There are some updates that might change your mind,” Jack started back up again. “Nanamin has been taken into custody back in Rome for further questioning.”

  “Why does it even matter?” I groaned. “He’ll just pay his way out in no time.”

  “He’s out of the loop, if even for a little bit, and it also means some disorganization for EXODUS.”

  I wavered my head, semi-agreeing with his notions.

  Jack was about to speak again, before I cut him off. “How do you feel about Chase?”

  Jack was caught off guard. “It’s...I don’t know. I thought he gone for the longest time. I guess he was though...is,” he corrected. “We’ve got to be a lot more careful now.”

  “What do you think he wants?”

  “He said it’s just business...but it’s never just business with him.” Jack paused briefly. “He’s trying to make a statement, force a change. We need to get back to base. Formulate a plan.”

  I nodded carefully. “He may be able to lead us to EXODUS. I still appear to be a target of his.” Jack seemingly noticed the gears working in my head. “Maybe we should use me as—“

  “No!” Jack was forceful for a moment, before simmering down slightly. “We can’t put you in any more danger. I haven’t been able to reach anyone directly from base yet, but things will be under control when we get home.”

  Home. The word stuck out in my mind. Was Rome my home now? Was I even accepted with my family back in America now? What does home even mean at this point?

  “Let’s go back to base, and talk it over,” Jack continued. “We have a great team," he grinned. "It’s time to get the gang back together.”