It was way past 1 AM when the situation at the embassy was finally back in control. The operation had proceeded according to the plan and, with the help of Jack and Tony from the inside, the FBI had managed to break in and take the hostiles down or into custody without jeopardizing the lives of the hostages. Also the ambassador had been taken into custody for further interrogation.

Outside the building, it was still full of police cars and ambulances and everyone was doing their part in continuing the investigation or taking care of the hostages.

Near to a SUV, Tony was dismissing an EMT who had checked his wound, while Jack was talking on the phone a little behind. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Tony!"

Tony turned around to see Anna making her way through agents and EMTs.

"Hey – he smiled with surprise – I didn't think I would see you again."

"I was starting to believe the same since it was really hard to find you in all this chaos", she admitted smiling back.

"Yeah, I imagine…how are you? Did they check your wound?"

"Yes, but they said it was already ok, they just changed the bandage. What about you?"

"Uhm, yeah, same thing after re-opening and close it the proper way."

Anna stared at him for a few seconds.

"You're kidding, that's not true", she added eventually with a smirk.

"Yeah, you're starting to get it. I told you that you did good."

"Listen – she became serious again – thank you again for everything. I really can't think about what could have happened in there if I hadn't met you."

Before Tony was able to say anything, she had already crossed the invisible barrier between them and started to hug him. Caught completely off guard, Tony took a second before allowing himself to lean his arms on her back. Closing his eyes, he could experience this beautiful and warm sensation that took him back of several years. Everything felt so peaceful and right, even if for a brief moment.

"I'm sorry – she said stepping back with embarrassment – I don't know what I just–

"It's ok, don't worry. Really.", he immediately reassured her, making it clear that he didn't mind it at all.

"Look – she found the courage to speak up again and let her thoughts flow freely – I know that you told me all that stuff about your past and that you'd probably gonna end up in jail again, but I was thinking… maybe we could still see each other again, maybe I could come visiting you in prison–

"No, Anna, please don't do this – he interrupted – Listen to me, I'm a lost case, ok? You are young, beautiful and smart, you don't need to waste your time over someone like me, ok? It's not worth it."

Anna's eyes started filling with tears.

"But what if it is?", she insisted.

Tony felt overwhelm by emotions again. On one side, he hated himself for what he was doing and he just wanted to kiss her so badly, especially now that he was sure that she felt the same way. On the other, he knew that he couldn't let her ruin her life after him, not after what he was planning on doing on Wilson. He had to be harsh now to spare her from being hurt more later.

"Trust me, it's not", he said coldly.

Anna lowered her eyes, not to show how much she disagreed with him.

"Listen – he started again – You've been through hell this night and you're not just thinking clearly now. I'm sure that tomorrow, after a good night sleep, you will think differently about me. In a few days you probably won't even remember me."

"I don't know. Maybe you're right, maybe I'm just still in shock, but, through all these hours I felt like there was a connection between us, I really can't explain it with words, but it was something I've never felt with people I've known for so little. I just thought that you felt it too."

Tony knew exactly that feeling, but let her know it was the opposite he was trying to achieve.

"I don't – he lied – I'm sorry."

"Oh, no, don't be sorry, I'm just…I'm just so stupid", she mumbled with confusion and embarrassment. "I…it's better I just go. Goodbye, Tony."

Tony felt like a punch in his stomach.

"Goodbye, Anna."

Then, with her eyes still filled with tears, she turned around and vanished behind the police cars. Tony stared at her, petrified, trying to seize a last image of her until she was out of his sight.

"You did the right thing."

Jack's voice, a few steps behind, made him snapped back to reality. He quickly regained himself and came back towards the SUV.

"There's no point in giving her false hope if you're still planning on killing Wilson", Jack continued.

"I am – Tony stated quickly, just to convince both Jack and himself that his plan hadn't changed – You know, Jack, these last few hours in there with her have been like…I don't know, I just felt like I was alive again. After all these years, I've almost forgotten how good it was."

Jack felt bad for him. Despite everything, he'd never wanted him to end up like this.

"Tony, you are alive. You have a pardon signed by the President that will allow you to start a new life in another country."

Tony showed a disillusioned grin.

"A new life? To do what?"

"To do whatever you want", Jack replied, a little annoyed. "Maybe even to meet someone like Anna."

"Yeah", he laughed sarcastically.

"You just have to forget about Wilson. This constant thought of revenge hasn't brought you anything other than pain and misery. Just let it go and, I promise, you'll feel much better."

"I can't, Jack. I just can't."

Jack looked at him with sadness and impotence. There wasn't much left he could do other than talking him out.

Suddenly his phone started to ring.

"Bauer", he answered.

"Jack, it's Renee."

"What's the status there? Have they found the bombs?"

"The SWAT team broke into the lab and they found two bombs completed and a detonator. The problem is that in the case holding the uranium rods, there were 12 slots, but 4 of them were empty. We believed that they managed to take them away before we arrived."

"Ok. Have you checked sat images to see everyone who left the building in the last few hours?"

"Yes. We identified a man, Isaak Egorov, who has left just a few minutes before we arrived and has a criminal record with Russian organized crime. We sent an alert on him on all police channels and we've just received a possible identification in a residential compound, not far from the embassy."

"All right, send me the address, we'll leave right now."

"Ok".

Jack put the phone back in his pocket.

"What's going on?", Tony asked almost instantly.

"They managed to find and secure two of the bombs, but there are still 4 uranium rods missing. We have a lead on the man who may have taken them. We leave right now", Jack explained before turning to another agent and asking for something.

"Jack, wait", Tony stopped him.

"What?"

"I think my job here is done."

"What are you talking about? This threat isn't over yet."

"I know, but I'm not an agent anymore – Tony stated with remorse – The reason I'm here is because you needed me to restore my cover with Burwell, but now Burwell is in custody and the hostage situation is over. You've got plenty of agents who can help you capturing this man. You don't need me anymore."

Jack sighed.

"You're right, you did everything we ask you to and more. Every part of our agreement is already valid, so if you want to stop here, I'll understand. But this is a high critical menace, thousands of lives are still at stake and, despite everything, you're still one of the best field operative I've ever worked with. So, yeah, maybe I don't need you like this morning, but I do want you to continue."

Tony rolled his eyes, still conflicted about what to do.

"Plus, let me tell you this straight. You told me that, in these last few hours, you've felt alive again. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think that doing good again and helping to save innocent lives played a big part on that."

Tony avoided his look one more time.

"Anyway, this is your choice – concluded Jack – You just have to understand that I have to finish this before taking you to Wilson. We'll catch up later if you don't wanna come with me now."

"A'ight."

Jack glanced at him with a little regret.

"Thank you for today, Tony", Jack said raising his right hand.

Tony shook his hand. "Yeah."

Then, Jack met up with the agent he had talked before and put a case in the trunk. After that, he headed for the driving seat.

Once inside, before he could turn on the ignition, the passenger's door opened.

Jack turned around to see, with surprise, Tony sitting next to him.

"A'ight, let's go", Tony told him.

Jack smiled. Maybe he did get through after all.

He then started the car and drove away.