In the Likely Event

Kandahar, Afghanistan: August 2021. Izzy wakes after having an erotic dream about Nate. They are still in the airport, and she has slept with her head in Nate’s lap. He tells her the helicopters are on their way, so she gives the visas to the coach of the girls’ chess team. Nate then escorts Izzy to the helicopter and stands guard outside while the chess team and their families are loaded on the helicopters as well. After the flight, the girls chess team is taken to the airport while Izzy is escorted back to the embassy, which is in chaos. Nate and Izzy learn that the State Department has ordered a partial evacuation. As a result, most of Izzy’s team, including Jeremy, was forced to take a flight out of Afghanistan several hours ago, leaving her behind.

Fiji: June 2017. Izzy is having trouble sleeping because she has realized that she is in love with Nate. As a result, she is becoming frustrated by his attempts to keep her at arm’s length. As she contemplates the situation, she hears Nate moaning in his sleep and realizes that he is having a nightmare. She goes to calm him, but he responds by pinning her on the bed and reaching for a non-existent weapon under the pillow.