Trust and Traitors
By: KidHeart4
Disclaimer: I do not own Disney's the Mighty Ducks or any of the characters from the show; so please don't sue me. However, I do own Lis. I also don't own the episode "Traitors Amongst Us," or the scenes from it. Though I do own the added ideas I have put in it.
It was about a month after engaging Dragonus in the mountains and establishing ourselves as crime fighters. We had settled on Earth at this point and were trying our best to complete our mission. Tanya and I had just finished making my fighting gear, a metal staff that when activated created a glaive out of energy on the top of it. Duke also requested a sword for me so he could teach me how to fence. I appreciated both of these, for I couldn't see myself firing a puck launcher unless it was absolutely neccesary.
It was just after a hockey game, and Duke and Nosedive were still arguing about a dispute they had had on the ice.
"Ya don't steal the puck form a member from your own team, Nosedive; it's bad manners!" Duke scolded.
"Yeah, same to you, double," Nosedive said mockingly.
"I think we all know you're the resident hot dog of this team," Duke told him.
"And you're the former resident jewel thief of this team!' Dive shot back.
I knew that had hit Duke hard deep down, but he didn't let it show. When I tried to rest a hand on his shoulder, he just shrugged me off.
"Hey, if you don't know the difference between a diamond tiara and a puck; I'll be happy ta show you," Duke growled as he was about to start a fight with Nosedive.
"Duke! Nosedive!" I pleaded, "Don't fight like this!"
However; my voice was unheard over the sudden alarm.
All of us, except for Tanya, who had gone out for the evening, ran to the door as we drew our weapons; waiting for the intruder to enter the main room.
Soon enough though, I found myself wishing that who had come through that door, had never shown up at all. She was another woman from Puck World, with purple hair; and an uneasy smile and look to her. Though I still held my staff ready; while Duke and Nosedive let their guard down.
"She's a duck!" Nosedive said dumbfounded with joy.
"That remains to be seen," Wildwing told him cautiously.
Then Duke chuckled while lowering the weapon on Wing's arm, "Wildwing, is that anyway ta treat a lady?"
Mallory then pointed out that she could be a robot or the Chameleon. Yet when Wildwing checked, we found that she was what we saw.
Soon after Duke took her hand and lead her to a sofa in the main room. For some reason it bothered me how smooth he was being with her. Yet I couldn't figure out why. He was my partner, and a dear friend to me, but that was as far as it went, wasn't it?
"This way sweetheart, just make yourself comfortable," Duke told her with charm in his voice.
I remembered how charming he had been when we met. Was this just how he helped girls warm up to them? Was it just a part of his personality. Though as I remembered some of our conversations, I felt for some reason that just maybe he and I had had something a little more between us. He had seemed so worried about whether I would trust him or not. But with her it didn't seem to bother him at all. Was it because I was a human girl?
"Hey Duke, why don't ya fly south?!" Nosedive questioned as he pushed Duke out of the way before he could sit by her.
I went to Duke's side. Offering a hand to help him up; but he didn't notice. Instead he got up on his own and headed back to the couch in another attempt. Leaving me standing there in complete confusion.
"I'm Vonda McDrake, and I honestly don't know how I got here," The stranger told us while Duke sat beside her and pushed Dive over and off the couch.
Vonda told us she could help us find Dragonus, and as soon as she started to get up; Duke jumped up and offered her his hand, "Aw, allow me Angel."
As I watched this go on still I felt a heat rising in my blood. I tried my best to pay attention to the others, but felt something in my chest hurting. Why was this bothering me so much?
Soon Duke and Dive were on the floor in a fist fight while Vonda found where Siege and Wraith were. Then we were all on the way to fight them, and see what they were up to.
I was the first one in the Aerowing; trying to get away from Duke, Dive, and Vonda. Though unfortunately, Vonda was close behind me as she came in after me.
"Hello," she greeted in a voice that sounded too sweet; almost fake even.
"Hi," I answered through my teeth, trying to settle down.
"What? You don't trust me?" She asked while laughing slightly.
I shrugged, hoping she would leave me alone.
"Why? Is it because I've taken your boyfriend from you?" She asked as she snickered innocently.
"He's not my boyfriend," I mentioned quickly, trying to remind myself that.
I looked away as she now laughed, "Well, I guess he wants more than a little girl!"
Though it shouldn't have, it hurt, but I did my best not to show it. Yet I couldn't help but wonder, "Is she right?" Duke had seemed to tease me a little before now, kissing my hand, telling me he thought I would look cute in a dress; but I had just thought he was speaking as an encouraging friend. However it seemed I had been right about not really needing to dress up for anything. These thoughts raced through my head, and I felt so angry because of them. But why?
As the others boarded the Aerowing I tried to distance myself from Vanda and sat next to Grin for the time being. I had a feeling my usual partner would be preoccupied. Even Grin seemed a little surprised to find me sitting in the seat beside his. He seemed to look around to see if he had missed something when he noticed Duke and Nosedive still fawning over Vanda. Then Grin looked back at me, and I guess I wasn't very good at hiding how I was feeling. For he gave a sympathetic expression as he patted my shoulder and took his seat.
"Try not to let this get to you," he offered kindly.
Yet his kindness couldn't help me very much this time around as my head sank into my arms, resting on the panel in front of me. I let out a frustrated breath as I tried to convince Grin and myself, "It's okay. He can do what he wants. Maybe he wants her for a partner instead."
When the others eventually all were in, most of them also noticed the change and looked as bewildered as Grin had. My answers to them were about the same with less and less convincing that I was fine with what was happening.
"Let's get going," Wildwing finally gave up as he took his seat and started up our ship, but not before patting my head reassuringly.
What made all of this even worse is that Nosedive, the one who would usually try and cheer me up, was also preoccupied.
"Comfy sweetheart?" Duke asked Vonda as I overheard with discomfort.
I felt myself writhing slightly in my chair. Just wanting to get out of this ship and away from them. Old instinct kicked in as I found myself begging to run again. As I always had. Lonely memories that I couldn't truly remember haunted me somehow, but I shook them off by trying to focus on the others around me. Yet this wasn't an easy task as I heard and then watched the two of them with her.
"Yes, thank you; but I'm a little hungry. I haven't eaten since I left Puck World," she said sadly.
So the two went to get her some food; opening drawers till they smacked into one another's heads.
Then for a moment, the two asked why they were doing this; but the moment passed quickly.
Luckily we landed soon and I ran out ahead of everyone else; too angry to speak or think. At least I was able to run from them for at least a moment.
Duke:
"Lis! Wait up!" Wildwing called after her.
Just then Mallory hit me upside the head.
"OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" I yelled.
"Have you forgotten about Lis?!" She demanded, "Your partner?"
"Of coarse not!" I snapped back.
"Then why are you ignoring her?!"
I looked ahead of me to see Lis not even looking back from my yell. She didn't seem concerned over what was going on at the moment. Though something inside of me tried to warn me otherwise. I couldn't even find a reason for what I was doing. Vanda was probably like any other woman on Puck World, who might disregard or hate me for my past. While Lis had accepted me unconditionally right when we had met. But she was my partner, and that didn't mean she needed me at her side all the time. I was still nearby if she needed help.
Then I glanced at Vonda and found her looking at me. While Dive tried to flirt with her. Finally I answered Mallory's question without any considertation, "Lis is fine, now leave me alone!"
With that we followed Lis.
Though when we looked around; there were no Saurians
"Well, so where are they?" Mallory questioned while shrugging her shoulders.
Lis:
Just then Siege and Wraith came up out of the ground where they had buried themselves to hide till we arrived. Then, before I could move, they began shooting at us. I tried my best to deflect the shots with my staff, but just as one shot nearly made it's mark I was pulled back suddenly. A second later I found being pulled back as Duke grabbed me. I looked up a glimpse of hope in my heart. Yet the distracted, careless look he returned pushed my hopes back down and crushed them. Not that I knew what hopes I was feeling in the first place.
"Be careful," was all he said to me now as he pulled away from me.
Just then, as we were trying to fight back, Wraith shot some of his flames at some boulders, causing them to come crashing down on us. Yet someone pushed me out of harms way while the team was buried!
"NO!" I screamed as I watched my friends be covered up by the heavy rocks.
Then, in a fir of rage, I tried to leap towards Siege with my glaive sparking with energy as it activated in a burgundy light; but he managed to knock me to the side with his clubbed tail, knocking my staff out of my hands. Then he pushed me down and let his tail strike my back as I tried to get up. He struck three times while I cried out in pain as he laughed, "What's the matter girl? Are your friends gone? They can't save you this time?!"
Suddenly, as though mocking his very words, the team emerged from under the rocks with ease!
"Lis!" Mallory cried when she saw me on the ground with Siege towering over me.
"Let her go Siege!" Wildwing ordered as he aimed his puck launcher at the lizard.
"You want her?!" Siege questioned while holding me up, "Take her!"
With that he threw me; but instead of Duke, Grin caught me this time.
"Thanks Grin," I said as I stood up shakily, while he continued to give me his support.
"Take it easy girly-girl," Dive said with concern.
"I'm okay," I assured as I picked up my staff from the ground. For a brief moment I looked over at Duke, wondering if he was hurt at all for some reason.
He was returning the glance; but it was only for a moment. For then he and Dive began fighting over Vonda again.
"Duke?" I wondered in despair as I looked to the ground now, feeling so confused.
I watched as Duke and Dive tried to protect her, while Duke didn't even bother with me. I tried to shrug this off by joining the fight, but my back buckled from Siege's onslaught from before, and I found myself waivering. Though my partner seemed too busy to notice at the moment, I felt Grin cover me before I was hit again.
"Be patient my friend," was what he said in an attempt to encourage me as he punched one of the rocks away as they came at us.
I looked to him hopelessly. Kind words just wouldn't lift me up right now.
Soon we won the fight, and we found the proteous chip that Dragonus had been searching for to power up a canon he had built. Then we headed home. Though the trip home was just as troubling as the one getting there.
Tanya still wasn't back yet, and we were starting to get worried. She normally wasn't out so late.
We were in the main room as Wildwing put the chip into a safe. After, Vonda had asked if she could rest; and Wildwing allowed her to use his bunk to stay in.
I found myself following as Duke and Nosedive escorted Vonda down the hall. Though I was really just trying to get to my own room where I could rest and try to gain control of my thoughts somehow. Though Duke didn't notice me, somewhat oddly enough. Normally he would have heard me, and probably would have talked with me on the way to our rooms, but now he was so side tracked by this new girl. Yet as she convinced Duke and Nosedive that she still hadn't eaten I felt a wave of suspicion wash over me. I then found myself listening silently through the door, practicing what Duke had taught me not that long ago. That's when I overheard Vonda trick the others into leaving to help who they thought was Tanya as she manipulated her voice with a device. She did this to get them elsewhere while she did whatever she was here to do!
When I heard her approaching the door I quickly, but quietly headed towards the galley to find Duke and Nosedive. I hoped that they would listen to what Vonda was actually trying to do.
I found the two of them putting all kinds of foods into a blender. Then when Dive turned it on without the lid covering the top; he got slimmed by the green concoction while Duke had been wise enough to step back and then return to Dive completely clean a moment later. I laughed in spite of myself, as though a brief moment of what things were like before had come back. Yet the urgency of what was happening reminded me of why I was there.
"Guys, ya gotta listen ta me!" I told them.
"What is it girly-girl?" Nosedive asked.
"Vonda isn't our friend! She's trying ta trick us! I heard her telling the guys ta go somewhere, and-!"
"Lis, you're jus' bein' paranoid!" Duke interrupted.
"Yeah Lis, maybe ya got beat up worse than we thought and you're starting to imagine things. When Tanya gets back you should have her check your wounds," Nosedive agreed with at least a shred of concern.
"No! I'm telling the truth! Ya gotta believe me!" I yelled, "An' I'm not that hurt!"
"Lis, you've been actin' weird since she got here! What's the matter wit' ya?!" Duke shouted now as he faced me completely now.
"Nothing's wrong with me?! You're the one that has something wrong with you! I'm telling you she's here to hurt us, and you won't believe me! As much as you ask me to trust you why aren't you trusting me? You're supposed to be my partner aren't you? Aren't we...?" I trailed off, covering my mouth before I could finish what I felt my heart burning to say. Of course we weren't anything more than teammates. Why was I so upset?
With that I took off running before they could see that I was about to cry. I now had an idea why it was bothering me so much, but I didn't want to admit it now. As I rushed down the hallway I felt my hands trying desperately to wipe away the tears that stung my eyes, "I'm such an idiot!"
Duke:
I watched as Lis ran from us. She looked betrayed and hurt; but I was too upset to care. Though, I couldn't figure out why this was happening between her and me. Why was I saying these things? Why didn't I believe her? Why wasn't I apologizing? I had promised her that I would look out for her. When she had given me her trust unconditionally back on Puck World, even knowing about my past. I remembered how badly I wanted her to see me as hero, but now that seemed to be eroding away.
"Duke, I think Lis was cryin'," Dive told me.
For a moment I felt my heart sink when I heard this. Had I pushed her away entirely? Yet stubborness took over me after that moment as I looked away.
"She's always cryin," I heard myself say coldly.
"Shouldn't ya go talk ta her?" Dive asked, "Aren't you like her best friend and partner?"
"She can take care of herself now! I don't care!"
Yet once I said that, I felt somethin' inside my chest rip in half. Was it my heart? For afterwards, I felt as though I could feel nothing else but frustration. It's not like I needed her around me all the time right? She was my teammate, a friend, and a human girl at that. Nothing more? Right? As I looked after where she had run off, I fought the urge to go after her and won.
Lis:
I made it to the main room where I found Vonda sitting with her head down as she sat in one of the chairs in front of Drake 1. Ready to look helpless and innocent. I saw right through it, and I couldn't keep myself from glaring at her. She was trying to hurt my friends, my family. Yet no one seemed to believe me. Was it really just because I was human and not one of them? Was that why Duke would never look at me that way? Memories of him kissing my hand when we met made my chest burn. Yet then again, maybe it was my fault for getting my hopes up in the first place? Of course he would want someone like her.
"You told them?" She asked.
I nodded.
She smirked, "But they didn't believe you, did they?"
"If you hurt any of them you'll pay!" I warned, my hands balling into fists.
"What are you going to do? Your friends believe me; and your boyfriend has fallen for me!" She snickered speaking my thoughts, "Perhaps it's because I'm one of their own kind; and I'm a grown woman. As I said before; and you are a human child! How could he ever love you?"
"Don't hurt them or else! Including Duke!" I growled; though I couldn't believe my own words. Yet despite knowing what I felt, and how I knew now he never would, I still couldn't stand him getting hurt.
"How can you still care about him?" She asked, "Why stay in this team at all?"
"Because they're still my friends; and they, including Duke, looked out for me when no one else would have. I will never let someone like you take that away from me! And I will not let you hurt them!"
"Oh? And what can you do to me? You won't risk hurting me and upseting your precious family," she pointed out, "And if you did try to get rid of me it would only show him how jealous you are."
I knew my knuckles were white with rage as she looked at me and laughed. I wanted to punch her, but something held me back. Silence took over me as I dropped my hands to my sides and tried to calm my breathing. Punching her, though it would have felt great in the moment, would never have given me what I truly wanted. I knew what she was doing, but I had to wait to act on it for now. Otherwise she would win.
As I stood there I could hear my teammates returning. I looked up from the floor to find Vanda taking her seat, ready to begin her performance as they entered the room. Grin must have sensed something was off because he was at my side yet again that day. This time his concern did get through to me in some way, because as he placed a strong hand on my shoulder I knew someone was at least supporting me. Yet it was short lived when I heard Duke and Nosedive coming in from the hall behind us.
When Vonda told the others of the warehouse that Dragonus was in we began to head to the Migrator. Yet something made me pause. I found myself tapping Wildwing's shoulder to speak with him a moment.
"Is everything okay?"
I tried to nod, but I knew it wasn't convincing.
"I'm going to follow in a Duck Cycle for this one, okay? In fact, if it's okay real quick I want to go change too," I told him.
Wildwing looked me over with concern showing through the eyes of his mask. It was thanks to him and the rest of my teammates that made not run like I wanted to. He then rested a hand on my shoulder, "This isn't like you. Are you sure you're not too hurt from before?"
I shrugged his hand off, trying to wipe tears away with my arm, "I'm not hurt Wildwing. I just really need some air. I'll be able to keep up, I promise. Just please let me follow you guys for right now."
"She's getting to you isn't she?" He saw through my attempts. "Look, I know how much Duke means to you, and I know you and Dive have been near to inseperable since we met you. And believe me, it's a little strange to me too."
"I-"
"I don't trust her either Lis," Wildwing admitted to me.
I looked up surprised.
"Unfortunately though we need to find out what Dragonus is up to and find him with her leading the way," he stated, "But you don't have to come with us for this one. We'll understand."
"No," I said firmly, "I want to fight with you everyone. I just need to take my own way."
Wildwing nodded understandingly, "Alright little sis. Try to hurry though okay?"
This time I nodded as I quickly headed to my room to change.
When we had gotten to Earth I had decided to make my own battle gear in case my usual one had gotten torn up or too worn to use. It was a little different from the one that mirrored Duke's; though his style had already rubbed off on me when I had made it. I still wore a burgundy top piece that had shorter sleeves. My leggings were black though, and over the top I had a black battle vest that stopped at my stomach, with a split down the middle that so I could disgard it if needed. On my left wrist was a wrist band, and I had fingerless gloves. Over the left shoulder of the vest was a guard to protect my heart. Wearing this felt so strange. Not that Duke had ever expected me to wear the same uniform as him, nor had he ever said I should. I just did. It felt comfortable. And while I liked what I had put together, it just felt so strange.
I soon rejoined my teammates just as they were boarding the Migrator. The others seemed surprised to see me in my new gear. And for a moment, Duke seemed thrown off as well. Except for Wildwing, they all seemed more surprised to see me getting out a Duck Cycle instead of going with them. Grin tried to get me to stay with the others. Yet I refused. My heart just couldn't bare it. I could not take listening to Vanda much more, and I really couldn't face him right now either.
"I'll be right with you guys, I just need to do this right now," I told my dear friend as he nodded understandingly.
He placed a hand on my shoulder, "You will overcome this, and the truth will be it's own victory. Try to hang in there, and don't stray too far from those that are here for you."
"Thanks Grin," I said as I got on my bike.
With that we headed out. While I followed them I fought the urge to just keep driving on. Yet the words of my friends kept me following old instinct. I couldn't just leave this time. I had to fight with them. Even if it meant things changed from here on out, I would not let her force me out.
Soon enough we were near what was supposed to be an abandoned warehouse. I got off of my duck-cycle and walked over to my teammates. Mallory tried to speak to me. Yet we both knew that I was just too torn up to listen. For again I watched as Duke stayed close to Vonda. He had looked up when I'd arrived; but then he quickly lost interest again.
While Wildwing looked inside the walls with the mask, I stood ready. Ready to fight or do what ever I was told to do. I couldn't even think clearly on my own anymore.
"You were telling the truth Vonda; they're in there alright," Wildwing agreed.
"There's a building in the back; we can take them from behind," she told us while gesturing for us to follow her.
"Wait, are you certain it's safe?" Wildwing questioned as he grabbed her arm.
"It's just a storage room; I doubt they'll be guarding it," she insisted while I noticed my leader slipping something into the purple haired girl's red pouch on her belt.
Then he told us to follow as we went to the back of the building.
"This way!" Vonda whispered as she beckoned for us to come in.
We entered the room; but once we were all over a plat form, Vonda pulled a lever and we all fell into a huge empty tank. When I hit the solid tank, I felt my stomach buckle in pain, amplified from the aches I still had from the fight before. My entire being shook from the impact, and I was afraid that my bones had shattered inside of me. It was then that I felt someone gently brush their fingers over the top of my hand. His touch, which had been warm and comforting the day before. I quickly wrenched my hand away and got up, ignoring the shaking of my body as I did.
I then looked over when I heard Vonda laugh as she approached the tank, "You pathetic saps!'
"Does this mean our dates off?" Nosedive asked confused while Mallory hit him upside the head.
"You've got a date alright!" Vonda told him as she turned the vowel handle and water soon began to flood into the tank, "With abut ten thousand gallons of water!"
"LET US OUT!" I yelled as I pounded my fists against the glass as she mocked us and Duke made a half joke about her being attractive. In that moment I thought I was going to snap. Yet as she walked away Vonda just snickered while looking back at Duke, "Perhaps you should have listened to her?"
Duke:
I looked to Lis feeling ashamed. What had I done? Lis glanced at me briefly with a pained and fatigued expression spread over her face. Where I thought I would find tears I found hurt and anger in her eyes. Before this moment I had never seen her look at me, or anyone as she did now. The young lady who saw me as a hero was missing, and replaced by this new side of Lis. Despite my doubts and words, she had still been trying to save me from my own mess. Instead of me looking out for her, she had looked out to protect us. Why hadn't I seen that? What had I done? I couldn't stand it.
I watched as she began to hit the glass again, attempting to break it open as she tried to ignore me. I couldn't find any words to say to her.
I walked over to Lis when I noticed her fists beginning to bleed a little. Bruises were forming on her knuckles, and blood was tricking down from the gashes she had made by hitting the hard surface in front of her.
"Lis, stop," I said gently as I tried to pull her back a little; but she pulled away from me.
Though I couldn't blame her.
Water was now pouring more into the tank and we had to swim to keep from drowning. After a while, however, Lis began to have trouble staying above water from sheer fatigue. Soon she enough she went under! I immediately dove in after her as I grabbed her, and brought her above the water. Lis coughed as she clung to me, not realizing that it was me yet. Her body shook as her lungs tried to get rid of the water that she had swallowed. Though
"Easy, Lis; I got ya," I told her.
She looked at me, almost exhausted, yet somehow found some strength to push against me. Finally she slipped out of my grasp, and I watched as Grin offered her a shoulder to hold onto to keep from going under again. I couldn't blame her as she looked away from me entirely. I now understood completely why she had changed earlier, why she had driven her own vehicle, and why she wouldn't even look at me. She was distancing herself from me.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, yet she didn't answer me.
Soon after, Tanya came and got us out of the tank. Finally shooting at it, and allowing the water to carry us out of it quickly. Then we were all sprawled out across the floor gasping for breath. I felt someone lying beside me, and I looked down at whoever was against my chest to find Lis coughing out water. Then I lightly rubbed her back to help her a little until she stopped coughing. Though even then I didn't let her until she realized it was me and she pulled away.
"Tanya, do you always have to cut things so close?!" Nosedive questioned.
"Well, that's what ya get for foolin' around with Lucretia Decoy," she told him while helping him up.
"With whom?" I asked as I got up.
"You've never heard of Lucretia Decoy?" Tanya exclaimed, "She's the worst traitor on Puck World!"
I looked at Lis while the others talked.
I tried to offer her a hand; but she just looked at me. She looked so hurt and betrayed it tore me apart. How could I have hurt like that? What was wrong with me? I had the love of an angel in my life, and I had completely tossed her aside! Why?!
I almost took Duke's hand, but I couldn't help but hesitate. In the last couple of hours I had tried to be strong despite the pain I'd been feeling. Yet now it was taking its toll. I wanted to forget this day all together, I wanted things to go back to how they were.
As I saw Grin coming up to help I shook my head as I got up myself. I silently nodded a thank you to him, but I needed to stand on my own in front of Duke this time.
We then found Dragonus, who had already gotten the real chip that Wildwing had slipped into Lucretia's pouch. Now she in Dimensional Limbo for her price of "betraying" Dragonus. After capturing the Saurians momentarily, Dragonus hit us with an ultimatum. We were sitting in an arms factory, so if we didn't release them he would have his drones destroy us all. Mallory yelled that we should all go ahead and go out together, Grin protested, and Wildwing thankfully refused. So without much choice we released them. Yet just before leaving with his men Dragonus shot at one of the explosives, destroying the building and us with it. Luckily we escaped the burning building and decided that was enough damage for one day as we took cover until the explosions ceased.
This time when we headed to our vehicles I was forced to ride home in the Migrator. Grin had told Tanya of my injuries and she was worried that I was too hurt to drive. I tried to argue with her, but I guess it wasn't convincing enough. On the way home I heard Mallory quietly telling Tanya would had happened to me throughout the day. Wildwing told me I should near the front for now, away from Duke. I couldn't really argue anymore as I collapsed into the seat near my older brother.
Yet as we drove home I risked a glance back at Duke, I found him looking back at me. He looked as though he wanted to tell me something. And oddly enough, I wanted to listen. I just wanted all of this day to vanish. I wanted to go back to him and sit with him as though nothing had happened. Yet I just couldn't bring myself to.
When we were home, I eluded Tanya and the infirmary for a short time to follow Duke for a moment. He was talking with Nosedive and Mallory.
"Well, I'm gonna change and hit the mall; I've earned some R&R!" Mallory told them as she went into her room while the two guys talked.
They once again didn't notice me.
Soon after, Mallory came out wearing a short reed dress. The two stared at her, nearly drooling.
I felt myself hit my head into the wall infront of me.
Maybe it hadn't been just Vonda? Maybe it was because I was a human girl?
"So Duke; do you want to compete for her affections?" Nosedive asked jokingly.
"Nah!" The two laughed while they gave each other a five.
"So how about a thrillin' game of checkers?" Duke suggested.
"Well, I could really go for some nice coco!" Dive told him.
"Ya know, I might even curl up with a good book," Duke said as they walked away.
I laughed softly when I overheard him say that. It just sounded like him again. During our visits to the mall Duke always loved visiting the book store, and he really enjoyed adventure novels I had noticed. A smile broke through for a moment as I watched him run down the hallway.
Just then I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, and I winced as I remembered the injuries I had recieved throughout the day. I turned around to find Tanya giving me a concerned, but very stern, look, "Infirmary! Now!"
Soon after, I was in the infirmary while she checked on my injuries. She told me luckily nothing had been broken, but I had endured a lot of sprains and needed to rest for a few days.
"Here's some fresh clothes Lis, you should get out of your battle gear for now," Tanya offered as she turned to her computer so I could change.
I thanked her as I slipped on the leggings and a jersey that was quite big on me. Dropping my hands to my sides caused the sleeves to drop past my hands a bit.
I sighed as I then got back onto the infirmary bed. Tanya wasn't allowing me to go to my own room that night. Though I tried to argue my own bed would be fine she was adament about me staying put.
"I don't want you wandering anywhere after the day you've had," she said firmly before giving me a comforting smile.
"Tanya?" I questioned looking to the door for a moment as I thought I heard footsteps outside.
Duke:
As I passed by the infirmary on the way to my room I felt myself stop in my tracks. The door was open now, and I could hear Lis and Tanya talking quietly. Not wanting to bother them I tried to get by without being noticed, but peering in the doorway I found it to be too late for that. Her skills of perception were rivaling mine it seemed.
"Lis, it's okay to talk to us," Tanya encouraged.
I watched as Lis looked away, "I don't want to talk right now."
"You tried to warn him," Tanya pushed gently.
I noticed Lis's hands as they shook. She then gripped the blanket as she spoke, "I don't understand why he wouldn't believe me. I don't get why I'm so upset! I just want this day to never have happened."
"Lis, it's okay. Things will get better, just give it time," Tanya assured, looking up from her computer, "but for now get some rest, your injuries won't heal unless you do."
Lis seemed to give up finally as she fell back onto the bed, her balled, bandaged, fists wiping her eyes as she held back tears. Her cheeks were still red with frustration as she lay on the bed. Though after a few more minutes she seemed to succumb to her exhaustion and drifted off to sleep.
Lis:
As I fell asleep I saw as he slipped passed the door quietly with a book in hand. A small part of me tried to smile as I heard his footsteps leaving the hall. If nothing else could give me comfort, at least everyone, including Duke, were safe. I was still there with the team I cared so much for. If nothing else, she had not won in that regard. With that thought I finally closed my eyes.
Duke:
It was well past midnight when I finally put my book down and headed back towards my room to get some sleep. Though on the way there I found myself passing the infirmary door again. Tanya had gone to bed well before this point, I guess knowing Lis wasn't going to try and sneak away anymore. I was hoping to just go past the door this time without needing to pause; but I found that harder to do this time around. For as I began to cross the door's entrance I turned my head to see her lying in the bed still. She was still sound asleep as she was turned facing the doorway. I couldn't help but notice the bandages wrapped around her hands, her sleeves pulled up just enough so I could see. The loose collar of her jersey revealed more bandaging wrapped around her chest and back. Why hadn't I noticed how badly hurt she was earlier?
I couldn't help but find myself walking up to her now as I looked over her carefully. Her closed eyes seemed troubled in her sleep, and I remembered how she had looked at me while in the tank we were trapped in. In that moment I would have given anything to have her look at me as she had before this day.
The dim blue light of the computer monitor revealed what Lis had been trying to wipe away, and as I gently placed a hand on her cheek I felt the tears she wept in her dreams. As I touched her warm skin I felt something inside of me reacting to her. Something pounded in my chest as I brushed her tears away carefully.
In that moment I wondered why I had been chasing someone else's affections all that day. Why had I thought I wanted her based on nothing? When ever since I had met her on Puck World I had always responded to the girl in front of me? It was because of her I stepped out of the shadows to rescue a strange girl. It was the desire for her to look at me as anything but a thief that made me seek out who I really wanted to be.
Was it because she was human? I shook my head. That wasn't it. For I remembered how I had kissed her hand when we finally got the chance to meet. I remembered wanting to protect her and look out for her. When we had gone places together I liked being able to put an arm around her to comfort and encourage her.
Then I noticed my own reflection on the dimming monitor, and I saw the obvious reminder of my past staring back at me. The loss of my right eye reminded me often of my past. Was that it? As I looked back at her in the darkness now it almost felt like that was the answer. It was one thing to be friends, even partners in missions. Yet it was a different thing entirely to think that she might look at me as more than that. We were all heroes in her eyes, but deep down I wanted her to see me as her hero.
My heart seemed to crack in my chest as I thought this. And I knew then that I had been falling in love with her. All the times she had fought beside me, striving to get stronger with each fight. Seeing her cry had always felt painful for some reason. Seeing her smile with her teammates around her. And whenever she noticed me, she had always seemed to be blushing. Had I really not realized until now? Or perhaps I had, but couldn't bring myself to believe it until this moment?
As I looked at her now I covered my eyes with my hand, lowering my head as I did. What had I done? All that I really wanted had been right in front of me. Instead I turned away, I doubted her and she still tried to save us. I hurt her, but she still fought at our side. And she had gotten hurt because of all of it. It took reality hitting me in the face for me to realize Lis had been trying to protect me. But why? Anyone else would have just let me fall. Yet I knew why.
"I'm sorry sweetheart," I whispered as I brushed a gently hand over the scar below her right eye. Then I found myself slipping back to the chair at the desk and watching her until I too fell asleep.
Lis:
It was still quite dark when I woke up with a start, shaken from dreams. The day still lingered even in my sleep, and no matter everyone's attempts I couldn't let it wash away. I seized my breath as a pain rushed up my back, reminding me of the damage I had taken. As I slowly let out a tense breath I noticed someone sitting at the desk across from the bed I was in. I froze for a moment before seeing his strong, but slim, figure in the darkness. His head resting on the desk with his book and arm substituting for a pillow. A chill seemed to enter the room as I watched him to make sure he was asleep. Once I was certain I got up and walked over to one of the other beds, grabbing a blanket and draping it over him as he shivered slightly.
I watched him for a moment as I ran a bandaged hand through my own hair to calm my nerves. I wondered why he was here in the infirmary. Yet I was still too tired to ponder this for too long. Giving up for now I felt the tension slip away for the time being. Then I queitly got back into bed and cradled my head with an arm as I watched him until I fell back to sleep. As I I did I thought I heard my heart beating louder than usual, while I closed my eyes and dreamt about the days before this one. The days when I looked at him with hope in my heart. The days when I found myself loving him. And though it felt foolish, I was too tired to care, as I closed my tired eyes, I knew I still dared to hope, and that I still did.