2.

Though returning to WOOHP would be full time, Clover never liked to be away from Blaine for too long. She returned from their wonderful weekend of shopping with an anxious breath, holding it in until she could see his state. His therapist had encouraged her to leave him alone after the first month or so, but it still unnerved her.

Blaine had lost almost six years of his life to imprisonment and a catatonic state. Mind control or whatever. Who could possibly deal with all of this with ease?

Blaine had been almost catatonically depressed his first month back, and Clover had not let him be alone a single moment. He barely acknowledged those around him, only squeezing Clover's hand when he needed help with basic needs such as cleaning and the bathroom.

Cleaning Clover had insisted on. He wouldn't move himself to shower or bathe, so she would walk him into a grand shower, taking the time to wash them both, trying to make him feel included, but also normal. Everyone showered.

The greatest surprise was his reaction to Tim Scam. Clover came into the living room of Tim and Sam's house, where Clover and Blaine had been staying since their return, to find Tim covering Blaine's legs with a blanket and setting a warm coffee on the tray held by his wheelchair. Tim had been especially kind to Blaine this past month, volunteering to look after him whenever Clover had to step out, whether for work or her own mental health. But things like this Clover no longer found too surprising about him, though she still enjoyed their sarcastic and bitter banter.

No, Blaine's sudden return to himself had been when he'd seen Tim Scam for the first time, as Clover and Alex wheeled him into Sam's house (and his new home for the time being). Clover and Blaine had stayed in a hotel until then, but Sam thought it better for him to be surrounded by love and friends. Tim had been waiting in the living room, having created a wheelchair friendly space for him. At the sight of him, the silent Blaine's eyes shined with anger, and with a growl, he used his still very present upper body strength to hurl himself out of the chair.

Before any of the women had time to register what was happening, Blaine had lunged himself onto a very surprised Tim and knocked him to the floor.

"Why are you here Scam?" Blaine had spat, suddenly awake and back in spy mode.

Sam had run to help the struggling Tim while glaring at the other spies, who were leaning on each other they were laughing so strongly. Blaine was confused by the laughter and Sam's concern, by Tim's lack of struggle.

And truly they were happy. It had been a first sign of life since his rescue. Slowly but surely they continued from there.

Blaine would get up by himself, shower and bathe by himself. Even make food for himself from time to time (though the stove was a little too high.) Alex didn't move in though she spent much time with them, also caring for Blaine. Doctor Don (Alex's WOOHP doctor boyfriend) refused to check him in the house however. Leaving and moving around was also good for him, so Blaine was forced to leave from time to time. Sometimes, Clover had to force him.

And though he was doing better. Hell, last week he'd even smiled at one of Clover's passive aggressive remarks, it was by no means a full recovery. Not yet. Perhaps never.

Like today, as Clover silently observed the scene, Blaine was surely in the midst of his black dog, barely registering that Tim had given him a cup of coffee.

Tim turned as he head Clover put down her keys, giving her a pained smile. She smiled back and said nothing, making her way towards Blaine.

"I see Mr. Sam made you coffee. Wow that is like, way nicer than anything he's done for me!"

Tim smirked.

"I'm not going to drink it though, it's no chai and it's no latte! Hello cavemen much? So unless you want me to throw it away, and I know you hate waste! You gotta drink it."

Blaine gave a small smile. He sighed and picked up the cup.

"Good old black coffee." He said, giving Clover a cheeky look. "Nothing better."

"Seriously." Tim chuckled. "How gross is it that people have it another way?"

They shared a conspicuous look, chuckling some more as Clover pulled out her tongue.

She quietly thanked Tim for his help, knowing he would notice her softly closing eyes. Blaine also noticed, though both were still underestimating his recuperation. Or perhaps no matter what happens, no matter how much he struggled with his new life, he could never completely let Clover out of his mind. Even when everyone around him, the girls, Jerry, Tim, his therapist and even Clover told him that his focus was to be on himself and himself alone; his mind always came back to her.

As she opened back her eyes, their glances met, and nothing in the world could have disturbed them.

Almost nothing.

Tim turned to the television set, blaring large red. A WOOHP perk that recognized any villain on the run or missing if caught on camera. And the camera had just found a face.

They all stared at the image of a handsome man, doing his best to walk past a crowd on the boardwalk unnoticed.

"Isn't that …. Jazz Hands?"

Hey everyone! Thank you so so so so so so much for all the positive feedback since I put out the first chapter! You are all so sweet and totally made my month! Or months even heehee! Sorry for the slow releases but I have just moved and preparing for that was phew! Crazy!

So for the new readers: This is a sequel read the first one!

Old readers: Confusing, I know since I didn't precise it clearly (newbie writer here please indulge me ^^ ) But the first few chapters in this book take place BEFORE the epilogue of the previous book. I will let you know when we finally get past the epilogue point :)

Thank you everyone for your support ! Enjoy enjoy !