Here we go with the sequel, hope you guys like it. Disclaimer; I don't own The Expendables, just my own characters.
One More Time
Chapter 1: What's Going On?
Melanie's POV
After spending so much time in the hospital with Lee and my Dad, I was really happy the day they were allowed to come home with me.
"Finally, I don't need to eat that stuff they call food from the cafeteria."Lee said as he dug in to his slice of chocolate cake that I had made for them.
Dad smiled, "Melanie always knows how to cheer a man up."he commented.
I smiled back at him, "Thanks Dad, the guys will be happy once your back and Wayne can relax a little."I told him taking a bite for myself.
Dad chuckled, "Its harder than he thought I'm sure, he's dropping by this afternoon. Isn't he?"he said before taking a drink of the lemonade.
"Yes Sir,"I replied the sir slipping in automatically.
"He'll be here around four, said he might stay for dinner too."I added as I cleared my plate.
"Wayne always did like your cooking."he stated his eyes wondering to the living room, no doubt remembering Wayne and me when we were younger talking away in there.
Lee cleared his throat, making me and Dad look to him be fore he spoke, "This was amazing Mel, thanks for making it for us. Is there something I can do for you?"
I grinned, "It's no problem Lee, anytime. Not that I can think of right now."I told him.
He looked rather bitter as he crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Mel can you push me to the living room?"I nodded.
He hated the fact that he had to use the thing I knew but with one leg and one wrist broken; he couldn't use crutches and he couldn't really do anything I think that bugged him the most.
Luckily Dad was going through the same thing so he could talk to Lee and get him to try to see the bright side which was; it won't last forever.
When I came back to the kitchen I sighed heavily, "I'll talk to him dear, don't worry."Dad told me before I got up and pushed him into the living room beside Lee.
Afterwards I gathered up our plates and glasses then went to the sink to wash them up while I thought about what to make for dinner.
Lee's POV
I hated this wheelchair, I hated how Mel and her Dad had to make changes to the house to accomadate me, and above all I hated being useless.
Sure I got a break from the action, but I missed it terribly almost as much as I missed holding Melanie, and all the things we did together before the accident.
"I know it's hard right now, but give it time. It will get better Lee."Mel's father said from beside me.
I nodded, "I hate feeling useless, I need to do something."I told him.
"There's plenty to do, you just need to get creative."he said almost sounding happy about it.
I looked to him then, "Are you serious?"I asked my facial expression blank.
He nodded, and pointed to the kitchen. "Get in there and help her."he told me sternly.
"Melanie!"I called out, she was in the room in a flash.
"Could you bring me back into the kitchen with you?"I asked she smiled taking her place behind me and pushing me along.
I was thinking, 'The team has it better than this, whatever they're doing.'
Melanie's POV
I decided on an old pasta dish I made years ago when I was younger for cooking class. Since I hadn't made it for some time, I kept looking back at the book to make sure I was doing it right.
When Lee called for me, I went into the livingroom and brought him to the kitchen.
"Need some help Mel?"asked Lee, from near the table.
"Sure, could you read the recipe to me?"I said going over to him after I got the book from the counter.
"Of course."he answered taking the book, I kissed him sweetly before returning to the ingredients.
Lee chuckled, "Always the runner."he commented, I giggled. The comment had double meaning for us; I liked to go for a run everyday, and I like to kiss Lee and run away just because it's fun.
Lee read everything out for me, and soon I had the dish cooking in the oven and went to sit with him.
"How are you doing?"I asked putting an arm around his shoulders, he sighed.
"The same as always, nothing's changed."he said his tone sounded tired in the way that he was sick of this, and I agreed with him; I didn't like this either.
I slid my hand down to rub his back for comfort, "We'll make it through this, just like we make it through difficult missions. I have faith, and you should too."I told him.
He cracked a smile, "Thanks Mel, what's the deal with this Wayne guy anyway?"he said changing the subject.
"Wayne and I went through our military training together after my Mom died, we became good friends. He helped me through a lot of things and he's a good guy."I explained.
Lee's POV
'Sounds like a model guy for her, but I don't need to worry I know she loves me.'I thought as the timer went off on the oven and Mel went to check on dinner.
The smell of the dish filled the kitchen, "That smells delicious Mel."I told her.
"Thanks, I hope it tastes as good."she remarked placing it back in the oven with a tin foil cover.
I scoffed at that, "You're a great cook, it'll be great."I told her as she got down plates and glasses.
She put the, on the table and started placing them around.I set up my place at my end.
"I didn't need help but thanks anyway."she said placing the last plate.
"Don't treat me like I'm useless."I shot back giving her a glare.
"You're right, I shouldn't treat you like that. I'm sorry Lee."she said and came over to hug me, I returned it.
Melanie's POV
I liked Lee's hugs; strong, tight and comforting. The door bell rang and I went to get it glancing at the clock it was exactly four.
Wayne smiled when I opened the door, "Hey Mel, this is for you."he said handing me the bottle of wine he was carrying.
"Thanks, come on in."I said stepping back to allow him inside the house. He came in and looked around the kitchen before making eye contact with Lee.
I quickly went over to stand beside Lee and introduce them, "Wayne this is Lee, and Lee meet Wayne."I said gesturing between them.
For a moment neither of them moved, they were still sizing each other broke first,
"It's nice to finally meet you, Melanie's told me a lot about you. I'm sorry."he said inclining about the wheelchair with his chin.
"Thanks, I'm sure she had some interesting things to say about me."Lee told him a smile on his lips as they shook hands.
"Wayne get in here on the double!" called my Dad from the livingroom. Wayne chuckled and went straight away my Dad has that effect on people.
"Shall we?"Lee asked, I smiled.
"Yes."I told him and pushed him into the livingroom.
Later that night after Wayne had gone home and we laid in bed together; Lee and I. I felt good and Lee did too from all his smiling.
"I love you Lee Christmas."I told him,
"I love you too Melanie Cole."he told me and we settled in for the night.
Several Months Later...
Lee's POV
I was all packed and ready for my flight home tomorrow morning when Mel's phone rang.
She was beside me on the couch, "Hey Barney."she nodded and put the phone between us on speaker.
"Hey Lee, lookin' forward to having you back here."said Barney, I chuckled.
"I'll bet you were bored out of your mind without me."I replied, he laughed.
"Listen Mel I need you on that flight tomorrow."he told us.
"What's going on?"asked Mel, her voice anxious but ready.
"There's a guy here that wants to talk to you, he's calling an hour after your plane lands."he said.
"Who is he? What does he want to talk to her about?"I asked, concerned already this guy sounded like trouble.
"I don't know, he wouldn't give me any details. See you guys tomorrow."Barney told us and hung up.
Mel looked thoughtful, "What's on your mind Cole?"I asked her.
Mel's POV
"Trying to think of who this guy is."I answered before heading for the bedroom to pack.
Lee followed of course, "I wouldn't worry about it too much babe, you have the whole team and me to help you."he said comforting me some.
"I know, I just have a bad feeling about this."I told him as I put my clothes in my suitcase which laid open on the bed. Lee sat beside it so he could look at me while he talked,
"Melanie, it may not be as bad as you think it is."he told me.
I looked straight at him now, "You don't know that, besides remember what happened the last time I had a bad feeling?"I stated feeling frustrated.
"Alright point taken but at least relax a little or you'll drive both of us crazy."he said his voice sounding the same as mine had.
I put the rest of my things in the suitcase and put it by the door before joining Lee on the bed; he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck sweetly.
"Lee stop it, my Dad's room is right next door. Besides I should tell him I'm leaving in the morning."I told him and tried to get up but he held me firmly in place with his arms.
"You can tell him in the morning love, lets enjoy our last night here."he suggested.I turned my head and kissed him in agreement.
Lee's POV
I woke up first the next morning despite a late night with Melanie but she had deserved it after everything she's done for me.
She had her arm around my waist still as she slept, I played with her hair a little and kissed her forehead before gently moving her arm so I could go take a shower.
I didn't like Melanie being so worried but its understandable in this case with some guy randomly calling her. I was worried too but I wouldn't tell her that.
When I was finished in the shower and returned Mel was still sleeping soundly as I gathered her suitcase to take it down stairs and talk to her father.
"Morning Lee, where's Melanie?"said Mel's father as I entered the kitchen.
"Morning, she's still sleeping. Sir your daughter is coming back with me to LA, we need her."I replied hoping he wouldn't get mad or ask for details.
He thought for a moment and headed for the stairs, I shrugged and got some breakfast hoping Melanie didn't get a rude awakening from her father.
Melanie's POV
I woke up to an empty bed and shook my head. "Lee always being considerate."I whispered to myself before stretching out my limbs.
My door creaked open and my Dad came in, "Morning dear, did you sleep well?"he said a small smile on his face.
"Morning Dad, yes I slept pretty well."I replied as he sat on the bed next to me.
"Lee tells me you're going back with him. Is that true?"he said watching my reaction.
I nodded, "Yes Dad, it is true. I need to go back with Lee, the team needs me."I replied hoping the information would be enough.
"That's what Lee said, alright you may go with him but keep in contact."he said, I hugged him.
"Thanks Dad, I love you."I told him,he squeezed me a little more.
"I love you too sweetheart, now get a move on or you won't make it to the airport in time."he said pulling back.
"Yes Sir."I said and saluted before he left the room and I got ready to leave.
In the kitchen moments later I was eating the breakfast Lee had prepared for me, I ate with big spoonfuls because it tasted so good.
"Glad you like it."Lee commented with a smile as he watched me from the doorway.
I nodded quickly finishing off the rest of the bowl of oatmeal, "It was great."I told him once I could talk.
We put our bags in the car and turned to my Dad to say goodbye,
"Thank you for everything, we'll be back again soon for a visit."Lee said giving my father a hug surprisingly.
"You're welcome Lee, I look forward to seeing you again."my father said happily returning the hug.
Lee let go and got in the driver's seat to wait for me.
My Dad spoke first, "Thank you Melanie for taking care of us all those months and helping us through the tough spots. I'll miss you, take care of yourself."he said.
"You're welcome Dad, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'll miss you too, and I will as long as you do the same."I told him and we hugged as well.
I got in the car and waved back at my Dad as Lee backed out of the driveway waving at my Dad as well.
Lee's POV
The drive to the airport was quiet without much traffic on the roads early in the morning and without Mel talking to me.
"Come on Cole, lighten up."I told her flipping the radio on to her favorite station.
She switched it off, "I don't feel like music."she said.
"Alright, is there something you want?"I asked not wanting to play around, her mood was starting to get on my nerves.
"I just want to get this over with."she grumbled to me.
I didn't say anything and drove a little faster down the road to the airport.
Several Hours Later...
I drove Mel to her place so she could drop off her stuff and get her bike, she followed me to my place where I did the same then I followed her to Tool's.
"Welcome Back!"the guys greeted us smiling, I smiled glad to be back home.
"Feels good to be back."I told them as we took turns hugging each other or slapping each other on the back.
"It's been pretty quiet here without you."Gunnar told me, I chuckled.
"Hey Lee, you wanna have a little competition? you know you may be rusty."Tool said pretending to have a broken wrist.
I shook my head, "Maybe next time, but I'll take a beer."I told him as we gathered on the couch. Mel and Toll went away from the rest of us so they could talk in private.
Melanie's POV
Toll took me away from the others, "You look like you need to talk to someone."he told me.
"Yeah, but I can't find the words to say how I'm feeling right now."I said trying to explain myself but wanting it to make sense.
"That's fine, just let it out I'm all ears."he told me making me chuckle a little.
"Ok, I'm scared about this guy who's going to call me. I have no idea who he is, what he wants or why he is calling me. I'm really nervous, I don't know what's going to happen or anything right now."I said in one long rushed breath.
"Its ok to be scared everyone is at some point or another. Just keep as calm as you and remember that we're all here for you no matter what."he told me after he got what I said.
I nodded, "Thanks Toll."I told him.
"No problem Mel."he said.
"Melanie, it's time!"called Barney, we went over to him and Lee.
Barney handed me the phone, "Good luck."he told me, Toll nodded reassuringly before they left us.
"You can use the backroom for privacy, we'll wait for you. If you need us just shout, it'll be alright Mel."Lee told me and gave me a hug.
"Sure, thanks Lee."I whispered as I hugged him back. I went into the backroom and closed the door; it was the workout room with blue mats covering the floor.
The phone rang making me jump, "Hello."I answered my voice a little shaky and not strong like I wanted it to be.
"Hey Cole."said a voice as cold as ice, I froze in shock as the phone fell from my hand and hit the ground.
First chapter done, please read and review!