Hey everyone!
So I've gotten a few reviews on my twist about Gus...LOL sorry about that! If you knew me really well, you'd know I'm a very dramatic person who loves surprises :D
TheTroopandGACFan: Haha well I'm updating now so I hope this isn't a big disappointment!
Black Thoroughbred Filly: Aww thankyou and of course I'd try my best to update! This story is dedicated to people like you who inspire me to continue writing(:
Zeppo104: I agree, Gus is such a maniac in the Troop episodes! He scares me though :S
To the people mentioned above- you guys are amazing. Thanks for your constant reviews and support! And yes, this chapter is longer than the others but read my note at the end of this chapter and I'll explain why(:
So enjoy this new chapter as much as I enjoy reading your reviews!
inspire-the-writer-x3
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Troop.
SYNOPSIS: As Christmas approaches, the Troop notices various presents disappearing. Putting aside their wants for the festive season, it's up to the Troop to stop this madness in time for Christmas. But what if what you want can't be wrapped up under a tree?
–
Chapter 3: A Deal With The Devil
Hayley's head was spinning. From all the news she had received from today, this was by far the most devastating. Jake was unconscious and maybe even seriously injured by the blows Gus had given him. Hayley frowned heavily and looked disgustedly at Gus.
"What do you want, Gus?" Hayley whispered lowly; warning him to answer her question honestly or face the consequences, "What could you possibly gain from hurting Jake like that?"
"Why Hayley, I believe there's everything to gain," Gus smiled wickedly, "And what can I say...I never liked Jake. He was a nuisance to everybody- especially you,"
"Jake was not a pain to me!" Hayley shouted, "Jake was a friend and a good one at that too!"
"Hayley," Gus gasped in mock hurt, "I thought I was your good friend!"
"The second you turned to the dark side was the moment you wiped out any chance of us being friends," Hayley sneered, "And frankly, I don't regret it! Look at yourself Gus! Trying to kill the Troop is one thing but ruining Christmas for everyone is just plain uncalled for,"
"Look," Gus started; his eyes glowing with anger, "I don't care anymore that you chose losers over someone like me; someone with power. My only concern is wiping out this stupid tradition of Christmas. My plan was coming along swimmingly until you nosy Troop members started to mess things up for me,"
"And what is this plan of yours?" Hayley questioned as her eyes flickered to the lifeless form of Jake behind Gus.
"That's none of your business!" Gus snapped, "And stop looking at Jake, Hayley- I'm sure he's fine,"
"How can he be fine when you kicked him like that?" Hayley cried; tears threatening to fall at any time, "What happened to you Gus?"
"What happened to me?" Gus laughed evilly, "I gained power, I learnt about a secret society that defeated monsters for the safety of others and I understood that no matter how much I wished for a normal family or for the girl of my dreams, it could never come true,"
"What are you talking about, Gus?" Hayley rolled her eyes, "You know, I used to feel sorry for you and I honestly wanted to help you out. But now I know, you're just a messed up kid with a messed up future; no doubt,"
"You don't know anything, Hayley!"
"Yes, I do!" Hayley argued; determined to win, "You were a sweet kid Gus and you can still be that! We can all be friends and give you a second chance! Will you just let go of this insane thirst for power and just be normal again?"
"Why would I want to be normal again?" Gus scoffed, "You think it got me people's attention? You think it got me people's respect? You think it got you to beg for me to stop ruining Christmas?"
"Gus..." Hayley murmured; unable to speak, "Please don't make me hurt you,"
"Hurt me?" Gus teased menacingly, "You've hurt me enough for a life time. And trust me, I've had my share of pain,"
"How have I hurt you?" Hayley exclaimed, "From the moment I saw you being bullied in that convenience store, I've only tried to be your friend!"
"But you never asked me if I wanted you to be my friend," Gus mumbled, "What if I wanted more?"
"More...?"
"Look, Hayley- Christmas was ruined for me as a kid. I never got presents from my parents because they did a lot of overseas business and so I usually spent my days at my Grandma's. I finally got the chance to be a normal kid when my parent's company got relocated to Lakewood and I could live with them in a nice, normal house and attend and nice, normal school. But obviously, that wasn't what God had planned for me," Gus explained as Hayley listened intently, "For a long time, I didn't want anything. I didn't want to be a happy kid with all the friends. I have no idea why now that I think about it but I don't regret it. Being bullied may have been hard on me but no one tried to stop it- but you, Hayley. You changed the way I looked at things and you made my eyes open to all the possibilities. In a weird way, you changed me. But the idea of having power and actually being something that mattered was just a temptation that was too hard to resist,"
"You...you fell for me didn't you?" Hayley asked with caution.
"Fell for you would be an understatement. You were everything I wanted to be, and more. You were popular but nice, kind-hearted but not a push-over, confident but not a jerk. That was you, Hayley but this is me- I am a jerk,"
"I'm sorry it didn't work out then," Hayley sighed, "But putting that aside, I need you to give back all the presents to where they belong and for Jake to be awake with me right now,"
"It's Jake, isn't it?" Gus smiled weakly; his tough exterior disappearing, "While I fell for you, you fell for Jake, didn't you?"
"I...Jake and me? It'd never happen," Hayley replied sounding outraged, but secretly, she was trying to hide her disappointment.
"Then you wouldn't mind going on a date with me?" Gus asked as he grinned in a pleading expression.
"Only if you return all the presents to everyone and make sure Jake gets back home, safe and well," Hayley negotiated; trying to keep her voice strong.
"Deal," Gus exclaimed; clearly excited, "See Hayley? The bad guy can change,"
"Yeah maybe..." Hayley said to herself doubtfully, "Now make sure your part of the deal is done and then you can organise a date with me,"
"I'll be on it straight away," Gus nodded, "I'll send Jake home first- it should be fine with the powers I have now. You can visit him then and nurse him back to normal since he'll probably be in pain when he wakes up. I'll be on my way then to return the presents,"
"That sounds like a plan. And how about for our date, you can come to the Charity Christmas Concert I'm organising?" Hayley smiled; the word 'date' leaving a rather bad taste in her mouth.
"Sounds great," Gus beamed, "Well I better get going. Nice talking to you Hayley and I'll see you soon,"
Hayley forced out a flirty giggle as she hung up the watchcom conversation. With a sigh, she quickly made her way back to Troop Headquarters to explain what had just happened to Felix and Mr Stockley with a growing plan to stop Gus once and for all, lingering in her mind. She just hoped that Jake was going to be ok.
–
Jake slowly started to gain consciousness as he noticed the splitting headache he had and the excrutiating pains located in the sides of his stomach and hand. Wearily, he opened his eyes; taking in his surroundings. The room was painted white with small blue cranes on the tiles. He could hear voices outside his room, talking about something that was either too quiet or low for him to make out the words. Jake turned his head slightly and saw a chair in the corner. On it was his beautiful team mate, sound asleep with an arm supporting her heavy head. Her hair that looked like the delicate ripples in a lake and it fell around her face softly that Jake had the urge to tuck the strands behind her ear in order to see her bright face.
Without thinking, Jake decided to get up so he could wake Hayley up, until an unbelievably painful ache ripped through the middle of his body. Jake groaned in pain as he collapsed back onto the bed; beads of sweat from the distress he had just experienced rolled down his forehead as he clutched onto his mid-section. Hayley bolted up from her sleep and hurried to join Jake's side, along with the doctor in charge of Jake, his family, Felix and Mr Stockley.
"Oh Jake, I'm so glad you're awake," Hayley blurted as she grabbed his clammy hand, "Are you ok?"
"Oww," Jake mumbled; his head buried into the sheets, "I feel horrible..."
"That may be the bruised ribs kicking in," the doctor identified, "Hi Jake, I'm Doctor Natalie Jackson but you can just call me Natalie. I'll be looking after you as long as you stay at Lakewood Hospital,"
Doctor Natalie was a tall, slim lady in her early 30's. She had long black hair tied up in a neat high pony-tail and pale porcelian-like skin. For a woman who was probably under constant stress everyday, she did look elegant and sophisticated but down-to-earth at the same time. Hayley grinned knowing that Natalie would take great care of Jake as long as he needed it.
"Hi Doc," Jake smiled weakly with his eyes still shut, "So lay it on me; what have I got?"
"Well Jake, you've got a couple of bruised ribs, a sprained wrist and some scratches and bruises here and there," Natalie sighed, "You had a concussion too so it should be good if you stay overnight here. And because of the other injuries you have, I suggest you stay here for at least a few days. Shame it is Christmas so soon though,"
"My dear son," Jake's mother sobbed, "How could you get this hurt?"
"I...umm...well I don't really remember because-"
"Because...he fell down the stairs at school!" Hayley cut in to save a stuttering Jake.
"Why were you at school, Jake? It is Christmas break and I thought that students would want to be as far away from their school as possible," Natalie laughed.
"Well he was helping me with the Charity Christmas Concert and we went into the school to get some stuff," Hayley skilfully lied, "And he was being cocky as usual, thinking he could carry more than me and then he didn't see the stairs so he kind of slipped,"
"That totally sounds like my brother," Phoebe scoffed; earning a scowl from Jake.
"I see," Natalie replied as she scribbled onto a clipboard, "So Jake, I see you have a few things to straighten out with family and friends but before that, I'll need to give you some pain-killers so the ache in your ribs can start to fade away. I also need to give you a simple check-up to make sure you don't have any internal injuries,"
Some nurses escorted Hayley and the others out; panic and worry still written on their faces, but it was mostly covered with relief. No one was sure if Jake was going to wake up from his concussion because it could result in a coma and that would be devastating to the whole cohort.
Hayley paced around to herself outside Jake's door, praying he was going to be fine. Jake's mum, who was currently in tears, had gone to the hospital cafeteria to get some coffee with his dad. Felix and Mr Stockley was looking after Phoebe. Felix was still optimistic and cheerful as always, but there was a vacant look in his eyes that made Hayley know that he was worried about Jake too. Mr Stockley was an anxious wreck because he hated the feeling of knowing that he had put Jake into this situation. It wasn't Jake's decision to join the Troop because when they sprung the news on him about a secret community that stopped monsters; he pretty much had no choice but to join. Phoebe seemed more playful than usual but Hayley could tell that behind her 'I-couldn't-care-less' facade, she was nervous her big brother wasn't going to make it. It seemed like everyone had their own weird way of dealing with the Jake's incident.
As soon as Gus was in the neighbourhood with the presents and Jake, he had contacted Hayley via Jake's watchcom. Gus had so kindly called an ambulance for Hayley so she could take him to hospital, which shocked Hayley the most. Gus never apologised for his actions- only handed Jake over to her and said he'd contact her to discuss the details for their date.
In all honestly, Hayley was so glad Jake was alright. If she couldn't see him open those big brown eyes of his one more time, she might've died there and then with Jake. Yes, it sounded dramatic but she never realised how strongly she felt about Jake until a near-death accident. She never ever wanted to be in that position again; struggling to hold onto the small light of hope she had left for Jake ever waking up from Gus' violent actions.
"Hayley, calm down," Felix smiled sadly as he pat her shoulder, "He's awake and he's going to be fine,"
"Yeah Hayley," Phoebe chirped, "What; do you like him or something?"
"Of course I like Jake!" Hayley exclaimed but then realised her mistake so she tried to cover it up with her newly-found lying skills, "I mean, Jake's a good friend. I would never want to see someone die because they fell down the stairs because of me,"
Tears swelled in Hayley's eyes as she realised that it was her fault Jake was hurt in the first place. If she didn't stand at the wrong place, at the wrong time, she wouldn't have nearly fallen over when Gus whizzed past. A sob tore through Hayley's chest as she slid onto the floor with her head in her hands. Life wasn't fair.
"Oh dear God, it's all my fault Jake's like this," Hayley cried, until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hayley, it isn't your fault," Mr Stockley hushed, as he gestured Felix to take Phoebe to somewhere else, "You did what you could and that is all we can thank for. We should all be so glad that Jake is alright. Hayley- what you did was amazing. For God's sakes; you negotiated with a villain to save your friend and almost-boyfriend,"
"Yeah but I just hate seeing him hurt," Hayley whispered weakly, "And he isn't my almost-boyfriend! Mr Stockley- how could you say that?"
"Hayley, sweetie, I'm not stupid," Mr Stockley chuckled, "I see how you guys look at each other; the gleam in your eyes when you think about him, the grin you can't stop from growing on your face when he makes you laugh...it's so obvious, Hayley. And it won't be easy for you guys to get together especially after your compromise with Gus but in the end, it will happen and you guys will be happy,"
Before Hayley could speak up, Doctor Natalie poked her head out from the door that was slightly opened and said that Jake could have vistors now, although they could only come in one at a time. Mr Stockley gave Hayley a small push and nodded at her so she could talk to Jake. Hayley seemed hesitant to enter first but Mr Stockley gave her a reassuring smile and she knew it was now or never.
"He might fall asleep any time though," Natalie warned, "The pain-killers I gave were pretty strong and may knock him out in 10-20 minutes so if he does nod off, don't take it personally,"
"I'll remember that," Hayley laughed, "Thanks Doctor Natalie for helping Jake out in his time of need. I seriously can't imagine what I would do without him,"
"Aww, Hayley Steele does flattery when I could've died," Jake winked as Hayley turned around to face him, blushing.
"Well if you didn't exist, who would I spend my spare time teasing about the million crushes you have on girls and comic-book characters?" Hayley smirked back as she walked closer to him so she was standing by his bed side.
"Ok you kids, I'll leave you two alone," Natalie said warmly, as she left through the door, "Remember Jake, don't move too much because it's not good for your injuries,"
"So...Jake," Hayley began; being careful not to touch his injuries as she laid a hand on his arm, "How are you feeling?"
"Better than before; I think the pain-killers are starting to work," Jake answered as he adjusted himself so that he was holding onto Hayley's hand, "Hayley...there's something I need to tell you,"
Hayley's heart stopped. Was this where Jake was going to tell her he liked her? She couldn't breathe because the type of girls Jake went for was nothing like her- they were usually snobby and rich with fantastic hair and clothes. Hayley knew she was quite wealthy but she wasn't snobby and she didn't have great hair because it was unruly and it frizzed easily, making it difficult to control. Hayley sighed, knowing she was stupid to even consider Jake in doing a thing.
"Yeah," Hayley exhaled, "There's something I need to tell you,"
Jake's pulse sped up He was secretly hoping she would reply with that and that Hayley and him would confess their hidden feelings at the same time and would live a happily ever after. But of course, life didn't work that way. He knew that Hayley was out of his league- the girl managed and was part of more clubs than he had comic books and not to mention, she was absolutely breath-taking with her bubbly but bold personality and those captivating dark chocolate eyes. Would she ever feel the same about a guy who constantly challenged and teased her?
"You go first," Jake chuckled nervously.
"Why?" Hayley questioned; raising an eyebrow at Jake's unnatural behaviour, "Something wrong?"
"No, of course not!" Jake defended quickly, "I just wanted to show you I have manners- well, more manners than you give credit for,"
"Well, I'm not sure how to say this..." Hayley shifted uncomfortably, "I mean Jake, we've been through so much together and it's just hard to form words for this kind of thing..."
Oh dear Lord- she was going to tell him what he wanted to hear! A lazy grin formed on Jake's face and Hayley's heart stammered. Even in the dreaded hospital clothes and poor choice in tiles that were placed all over the room made him look so incredibly handsome and alluring, which made the conversation she was about to have even harder for her.
"It's ok," Jake encouraged, "Come on, out with it!"
"Well..." Hayley stated, trying to be bold, "I'm going out with Gus,"
Abruptly, Jake heard a crashing sound that sounded like glass breaking into a thousand pieces. Hayley seemed unaffected so Jake wondered what was this sound and why did his chest all of a sudden hurt so much?
Oh right, that was just his heart.
–
I put so much effort into this chapter that you have no idea how many times I've rewritten and editted this. This has to be one of my favourite chapters that I've written because it was dramatic and emotional!
Don't forget to review and tell me what you think please!
Hope you like this chapter as much as I do;
inspire-the-writer-x3
