429: A Delicate Balance

Emma sighed, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her as she sat across from Alex in the dimly lit café. Their rendezvous had been a secretive one, and now, it was time to wrap things up. "You know how to handle me," she started, her voice even but firm. "I'll take your points into consideration. If there's a problem, I'll discuss it with you. But don't think you can manipulate me by pulling at personal strings." Alex nodded, understanding the boundaries she was setting. There was a quiet respect in the air, mixed with unresolved tensions. As he stood to leave, Emma stayed seated, pondering the complexities of their interaction. They hadn't arrived together, and they certainly weren't going to leave together. Once Alex had left, Emma lingered in the café a while longer. She was caught up in her thoughts, mainly about Bauer. Rumor had it that Bauer was abroad, likely confronting Clarke Zodiac's family. This worried Emma; the stakes were personal for Bauer, and she feared for