Chapter 4: Danger at the Lab

Nathan picked her up the next morning at the university gate. He drove her to the lab himself. 

"You could have had someone else pick me up," Ashley said as she buckled the seatbelt across her shoulder. 

"I like to make sure my assignments get to where they're going safe," Nathan said, eyes on the road. 

Ashley frowned. "I'm not an assignment. I'm a person." 

Nathan turned to her, one eyebrow raised. "Then act like one. Stop looking like you're on your way to class. We're up against people who will kill to keep this formula a secret." 

Ashley crossed her arms. "So now I should start dressing like a soldier?" 

Nathan didn't answer, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "Just do what I say. You'll live longer." 

Ashley stared out the window, irritated. "You don't even know me, Nathan. You act like I'm some careless freshman who doesn't understand what's happening." 

Nathan's voice remained level. "I act like someone who's seen what happens when people underestimate threats like this. You're smarter than that. So don't." 

The rest of the drive was silent, but Ashley couldn't stop her mind from racing. She didn't like being spoken to like a liability, but part of her knew he was right. 

When they arrived, the facility was quiet, the faint thrum of machinery barely audible. Nathan led her to a lab that had already been cleared for her work. It was spotless, the glassware arranged neatly, the computers on and waiting. 

"You'll work here," Nathan said. "Two of my men will be outside the door at all times. You don't leave this room without telling me first." 

Ashley set her bag down on the counter. "I usually work alone." 

"Not anymore," Nathan said. 

She rolled her eyes. "You don't strike me as someone who understands chemistry." 

"I don't have to," Nathan said. "My job is to make sure you keep breathing." 

Ashley sighed, turning to the formula that was spread across the table. "Fine. But if you're going to hover over my shoulder, you're going to make me nervous." 

Nathan took a step back, leaning against the wall. "I'll be here. Quiet. Pretend I'm not watching." 

"That's impossible," Ashley muttered, picking up a pen.

Nathan didn't say anything, and for a while, it was almost peaceful. She spent the next several hours going through the formula, muttering to herself as she took notes. Nathan didn't say a word unless she asked a direct question, and even then his answers were clipped. 

When her stomach growled, he tossed her a protein bar without looking away from his phone. 

"Thanks," she said, unwrapping it. 

"Eat. You'll think better," Nathan said. 

By evening, she was rubbing her temples, exhausted. "I think I've got the missing chain reaction," she said at last. "But I need to go back and confirm it." 

Nathan walked over, surveying the notes she had written. "Is this good news or bad news?" 

"Both," Ashley said. "Good news, because I think we know what they're trying to make. Bad news because it's worse than I thought. If they finish this, they could release it in a crowded space and no one would know until it was too late." 

Nathan's jaw tightened. "Then we finish it before they do." 

He left to report back to his team and Ashley stayed to clean up the lab. The silence in the building was deeper now, the kind that made every sound ring too sharp in your ears. She was almost finished when the lights flickered. 

Ashley froze. 

The sound of shouting came from the hallway. Boots were thumping against the floor. Her heart started to pound. 

Nathan's voice sliced through the noise. "Secure the perimeter! Move!" 

The lab door swung open and Nathan strode inside, face grim.

"Get down," he said. 

Ashley dropped to the floor as Nathan positioned himself between her and the door, gun drawn. 

For what felt like hours, she heard movement outside the room, the crackle of radios, the slam of another door somewhere down the hall. Someone shouted. Someone else cursed. Then silence. 

Nathan lowered his weapon, but didn't relax. "They tried to breach the building," he said quietly. "Two men. Armed. They're in custody now." 

Ashley sat up slowly, her hands shaking. "They came here? For me?" 

"Or for what you're working on," Nathan said. He crouched down so he was at her level. "Are you hurt?" 

"No," she whispered. 

Nathan studied her face. "Good. Breathe." 

Ashley tried, but it came out shaky. "I thought this was just research. I didn't think— I mean, I knew it was dangerous, but not like this." 

"This is why I'm here," Nathan said. "To make sure you walk out of this alive." 

Ashley stared at him, her chest tight. "What if they come back?" 

"Then we stop them again," Nathan said simply. He stood and offered her a hand. 

She hesitated, then took it. His grip was solid and warm, and it grounded her more than she expected. 

"Come on," he said. "You're done for tonight." 

They walked down the hall together, past two men in tactical gear who nodded at Nathan but kept their eyes forward. Ashley kept glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting more shouting, another attack, something worse. 

Nathan caught her. 

"Eyes front, Dawson. You're safe." 

"I don't feel safe," Ashley said. 

"That's normal," Nathan said. "You'll get used to it." 

She wasn't sure she wanted to get used to it. 

On the ride back to the safe house, Ashley was quiet, staring out the window. Nathan glanced at her once but didn't press it. 

Finally, she said softly, "I used to think the worst thing that could happen to me was being betrayed by someone I loved. But this is different. This is bigger than me." 

Nathan's voice was steady. "That's why you have us. You don't have to face this alone." 

Ashley looked at him. For the first time since she had met him, she believed him. 

When they arrived at the safe house, Nathan didn't leave right away. He stayed in the living room while she made tea, just sitting quietly, letting her know he was there.

When she finally spoke, her voice was low. "Thank you. For stopping them." 

Nathan nodded. "Get some rest. Tomorrow we go back." 

Ashley went to her room but before she closed the door, she looked back at him. 

For the first time since Harvey had shattered her trust, she felt something she hadn't felt in weeks. 

Safe.