You speak to me
I know this will be temporary
You ask to leave
But I can tell you that I’ve had enough

“You’re probably right,” Milo admitted after breaking the fiery kiss, “but I just wanted to say... I’m sorry.”

Nadia stared at a random spot on his chest to avoid eye contact, yanking her hand off his neck as if she had been burned. “You said it,” she breathed, still unmoving as if she might blend into the wall and disappear if she kept still long enough.

I can’t take it
This welcome is gone
And I’ve waited long enough to make it

Inside he had always known it would never work, but he managed to push that thought aside for a while in a futile attempt to make her love him. He should have known better – Nadia was never one to let her emotions get in the way. Why should that particular day have been any different?

And if you’re so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I’ll watch you go

He knew he probably shouldn’t have bothered trying – even if she did ever feel anything for him, he should have let her come to him. She was an independent woman who considered her job her top priority, and even if anything else surfaced she was the type to want to go about it herself, if she went about it at all.

Step up to me
I know that you’ve got something buried
I’ll set you free
You set conditions but I’ve had enough

She had a rough life, especially considering her culture – Muslims in the counterterrorist world were controversial to say the least. She kept that part of herself locked up. That might have been what was preventing her from letting herself indulge in a relationship, and the harder anyone tried to pry her open the more she closed herself off. It was a one-way street, as far as he could see.

I can’t take it
This welcome is gone
And I’ve waited long enough to make it

And yet, after everything, she had feelings for Mike Doyle. She denied it immediately, but that was just another sign of it there to laugh in his face. He could see it in her eyes when she glanced over that direction every now and again. Doyle, his archenemy, was disagreeable to say the least as far as he was concerned, but even after everything he did and said to Nadia she gradually grew to like him.

And if you’re so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I’ll watch you go

Maybe Doyle and Nadia were more alike than he had realized. Each had a difficult past they refused to elaborate on except on their own terms. Each had a powerful position at CTU and had earned it well, slowly and painfully working their way up the ladder of respect. Maybe that was why it seemed he was suddenly frustrated with her all the time.

Come back home
Won’t you come back home?
You step in line
You’ve got a lot to prove

He thought about before, even just that morning, before he went and fouled things up. He and Nadia were OK back then, they were good friends and they trusted each other. This was not to say that she no longer trusted him or vice versa, but their friendship was definitely strained at the moment.

It comes and goes
Yeah, it comes and goes
A step in time
Yeah, it’s a lot to prove

She was never hostile toward him, although he could tell she was uncomfortable at the prospect, particularly in a place where death was so prominent. Awkwardness ensued, although it ebbed and flowed throughout the rest of the day. He couldn’t help but notice that it corresponded with when she was on comm with Doyle.

I know this will be temporary
I know this will be temporary
I know this will be but I’ve had enough

There was only one thing for certain. He loved her. She was rational and decisive, and that was one of the things that made her a primary choice for Acting Director. Once she made the decision, the decision was made. This time the decision hadn’t been in his favor.

I can’t take it
This welcome is gone
And I’ve waited long enough to make it

It was too late, and he knew it. There was nothing he could do about it, and she definitely wasn’t going to change her mind. He had waited his turn, he hoped their camaraderie could blossom into something else, but apparently he was wrong.

And if you’re so strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I’ll watch you go

One of the things he admired about her was her audacity. She stood up to any kind of assault, whether physical or verbal, with unwavering resilience, and he couldn’t help but envy her for that, but at the same time it made him even more frustrated. Doyle was the figurehead behind those assaults today, and yet she seemed to soften, to lower her defenses whenever he was around.

I can’t take it
This welcome is gone
And I’ve waited long enough to make it

“Who’s in charge?” the terrorist demanded.

He stood up. “I am. Milo Pressman. I’m Acting Director of CTU.” So maybe it wasn’t the smartest move. He hated Doyle even more for snagging her, but he still cared about Nadia whether she felt the same way or not. She shook her head furiously at him, but he ignored her plea.

Doyle and his team would eventually figure out something was wrong and come save the day. For now, this was all he could do.

He half expected the bullet to come, and a sick part of him welcomed it. Maybe he was better off alone anyway.

And if you’re strong
You might as well just do it alone
And I’ll watch you go