Newwww story, this chapter, along with the final chapter for Tangled Futures took me forever. But, im proud to say, Hello, to new, and returning readers of mine.
You. Rock :)
There is slight foul language, so please don't complain, as you have been forewarned.
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Swoosh!
''Crap'' I hissed, as the bullet flew past my head at light speed, penetrating the opposite wall. I crouched, my own firearm poised and ready. I waited, timing the moment. This was vital; I couldn't kill the target, just incapacitate him. Left knee should do it.
I waited. Another shot rang out, and a cry emanated. A crackle over my radio, barely audible.
''I'm hit, Swan. Goddamit, I'm dying.'' I chuckled. Harsh as that may seem, Black knew the risks.
''Where are you?'' Was my reply.
''Twenty-three feet from the main reception. Vetas' in line of fire...'cept I'm bleeding everywhere, the stupid sonofabitch'' Typical.
''Try and stay alive for ten minutes Black''
''You're the boss. Over, but not out'' I chuckled again, and started stalking toward level three-B. I hid behind every available item of cover.
''Well, well, well'' I heard someone say. I stood up, cautious, my weapon aimed.
A figure was positioned over Black, and it appeared to be Vetas, by the looks of things. I struggled internally. A cry, as he placed his right foot on Blacks ribs.
Not my partner, you bastard. I aimed, and my target was true. Two perfectly aimed shots, and he was down.
Vetas crumpled, his 9mm- Stolen from a dead agent- slid across the floor, and landed neatly under my foot. I holstered my gun, and walked over to the injured. I'd tend to Black first; he meant more.
''Swan...'' He coughed, blood spewing from his lips, bubbling and frothing ''...You made it. Now I've seen your angelic face, I can die a happy man'' His eyes fluttered closed.
''Such a drama queen, Black, open your goddam eyes and call for help'' I heard a throaty laugh.
''You know me too well'' I heard the fizz and pop of his reciever.
''Medical assistance required. I'm hit, and Vetas is down, his goons all killed in gunfire'' A loud cheer sounded from the receiver and I headed over to Vetas, who was currently clutching his left arm, and his right leg was curled underneath.
''You bitch'' He hissed at me, and he was rewarded with pain, as he writhed from his wounds. I wasn't allowed to handcuff him, until he'd been seen to, so I sat and waited. Four and a half minutes later, sirens overrode the groans of pain from both men. Blacks' were dramatised. A suit appeared, followed by the special cops, who were gonna search the place.
''Very well done Swan'' The british accent rang out ''You've astounded us all, with the neatness of your...'' He glanced at the still breathing Vetas ''...Work. Most other agents would've killed him outright, if they had the chance. Initiative Swan. I'm going to place you up for promotion, from field federal, to secret. You've earned it'' He patted my shoulder, and left to inspect the devastation we'd caused in stopping the Citys largest drug baron.
Oh boy, was I smug.
A whistle pierced my conscience.
''Oi, Swan. You're wanted'' I trudged over the gurney, and to my injured Partner.
''How ya holdin' up Black?'' I could tell he'd lost a lot of blood, and his appearence finally started to show that. I grasped his large hand in one of my own.
''J...Just...Peachy...Swan'' His breathing was laboured ''Tis...Nought...But...A...Dint'' I smiled at his analogy.
''I'm glad you're alive though. You're the most fearless Partner I've had'' I smiled at him, and a raspy chuckle escaped him ''Stay safe man. And make it to the hospital alive, for Christs sake. I couldn't go through re-training'' A sense of humour was needed at times like this; Black knew how I was feeling right now, as the roles were reversed just eight months ago. I absent mindedly thumbed the puckered scar through my shirt. He noticed.
''I'll try'' And with that, my best friend released my hand, and was loaded into the back of an Ambulance, a bullet lodged somewhere in his stomach. And I didn't know if I'd see him again. I turned, weariness washing over me. This had taken it out of me.
''Hey, Chief, can I bounce?'' I thumbed the doorway, hoping for a yes. Webster appraised me for a second, taking in my appearence and nodded.
''Sure thing Swan, just be there for de-briefing. Nine AM sharp'' He handed me my phone ''Your alarm will ring at half seven. Scoot it when it does Girl'' I laughed darkly, and left the decimated building.
My faithful Tahoe still where I left it. Hm, it was getting dusty.
I hopped in, and the radio came to life, belting out a blues song.
''...I tried to flag a ride, Didn't nobody seem to know me babe*'' Robert Johnson sang from the machine, as I sang along. I planned on heading to the nearest takeout, and grabbing food. As I drove, Cap'n Wongs came into view. Chinese sounded good. Pirate Chinese sounded even better.
I held my bag of noodles close to my chest, kicking my car door shut, locking ol' trusty and headed to my apartment.
I wolfed my food, then went to shower. The scalding rivulets soothed my fraught nerves. I was worried about Jacob, and he reminded me of Mercutio* telling me it was just a dint, instead of a stratch.
I settled into bed, my eyes drifting shut. It was after two in the morning, I was somwhere between sleep, and awareness, when the shrill ring of my phone alerted me.
''Swan'' I spoke sleepily.
''Bella'' I sat up straighter, this was important ''Black...Blacks gone'' I froze. The voice of Angela continued down the line ''I'll be there in ten to pick you up. You have to identify, because he was federal''
I managed to squeak out an Okay, and I slowly, jerkily got dressed.
Jacob, my best friend since I'd become federal, was dead. I was on autopilot as I threw on a grey sweater, and flung my hair into a ponytail. I grabbed my phone, and waited outside my apartment. I felt numb. A sleek, black, quiet Mercedes pulled up, and I climbed into the passenger side.
''Ang'' I greeted second-in-command, as she too was one of my closest friends, and the boss' daughter. She was my age, with dark hair, tan skin, and eyes the colour of grass. She reached her hand out, and neither of us spoke a word until we reached the hospital. We were led to the morgue, after flashing our ID badges, and the body of Jacob was pulled from the depths of the cold storage.
One hand flew to my mouth, the other hand clasped his paled, icy one. I almost crumbled.
He was so full of life, and now he was here, being identified. I missed him already.
''Goddamit, you told me it was a dint, and you promised me you'd come back'' I said shakily. Angela laughed once ''And now, this means I'm gonna have to go through re-training Black'' I fingered his tattoo, tracing the intricate outline; a wolf. It symbolises strength. I still had that design hidden at home. I glared at his fatal wound, noticing how pale he was. I looked to the mortician.
''What time?''
''Fourty-five minutes past one'' I looked at the clock. It was twenty-to-three. He'd died fifty-five minutes ago.
''I miss you already, Jake'' I whimpered, my eyes misting. Angelas hand found my shoulder, and she squeezed it, keeping it there. My tough-person demeanour was slipping; rapidly.
A tear fell. Many more followed, and an immeasureable amount of time passed, before I was told I had to leave. I kissed his forehead, and watched as he was slid back into the storage space. I felt myself being pulled by the hand.
''Wait'' I turned.
''When will his body be released'' I questioned the graying man in front of me, who was removing his gloves.
''Tomorrow, if you're collecting?'' I nodded, said my thanks, and caught up with Ang. He had no family to speak of. His mother died when he was a child, and Billy, his father, passed a year ago. I'd organise his funeral. I'd attend. He was my best friend after all.
I was passed a coffee, but it felt like sludge it was that strong. I coughed and gagged.
''Jesus, Ang, you could stand a spoon in that!'' I spluttered.
''Drink it, Bella. It'll calm you. You have to be at the de-briefing in less the four hours.'' Huh, she was right. It was past five in the morning.
''We headed to the offices now then?'' Ang nodded, as I took a huge glug of the vile liquid and forced it down ''Eugh'' I spat.
The drive from the Hospital was quiet, and calm. I watched the sunrise over the quiet City, and I was peaceful, but turmoiled all the same. I kept thinking of Jacobs Mercutio analogy, and he was bang on. He had died; like Mercutio. Except it was a gunshot wound. Not a sword.
Angela asked few questions, and recieved little answer. I chugged the last of my disgusting coffee, and once we were parked, I launched it into the nearest trash can.
She opened the back doors, and we headed up to our respective offices. It was just a little after seven. Some staff were already there, weary, and tired. Like me.
I headed to Jakes' office, and cleared his desk of his personal possesions; the ones he cherished. I yawned, and sat at his chair.
I yearned to be in bed, and for Jacob to be alive. I ached to see his boyish smile, and our playful abuse of each other. Safe to say, I missed him. And his passing meant one thing.
A new partner. Damn.
Well? Whaddya think? Lemme know, and I'll respond to your reviews. I promise :)
Review! :D
*Blues song. Look it up :)
*Mercutio- Romeo and Juliet ''Tis nought, but a scratch'' Said after his swordfight. Then he died.
