Chapter 4:
Drummer brought us back to the air base that held the Expendables plane and let us all off before taking him, Trench, and Yang home in the chopper. It was good to be back on this plane but it would be even better to be back at home. That would come soon enough though.
I looked toward the cockpit to see Barney and my dad bump the side of their fists and smiled. Everyone was engrossed in their own conversations. With eleven of us on this plane there really wasn't much room to lay down and get some shut eye but I was just about ready to crash. I looked up at the jingling Dog Tags above me and smiled softly. I reached up and the tips of my fingers just grazed them as someone sat down beside me.
"So what are they?" John asked, looking up at the tags.
"The tags of the fallen Expendables. Most of them were family to me." I explained, "Some of them I didn't know very well, like Billy. He died two years ago on his last assignment. He saved enough to quite the Expendables and go marry a French nurse he met and fell in love with in Afghanistan."
"This life isn't for everyone." Was all he said.
"It's not, that's true. But what about you? Is it the life for you?" I asked and turned to look him in the eyes.
"It is. What about you?" He asked quietly.
"This mission definitely put things in perspective. Good and bad is not just black and white but…I do believe in what the Expendables do more than I ever did before so I think I'll be sticking around for awhile."
"Glad to hear it."
"My father won't be." I laughed and leaned back against the wall, "But I've never listened to him before."
"Why did you kiss me?" John suddenly asked.
I shrugged, "Because I wanted to. Do I need another reason?"
"I don't know." He replied.
"Well, if you come up with a solid answer, I'll come up with a solid reason. How about that?" I told him and nearly laughed when his face scrunched in confusion.
We landed in the Expendables hanger soon enough and I stood, stretching my legs. I really needed a shower and a goodnights rest. It didn't look like that was allowed to happen just yet though because when we all got off the plane, Barney decided to make an announcement.
"I wanted to say thanks to each and every one of you. You fought hard and you fought well. I know this mission was supposed to be a one off for the young ones but I've been thinking and I've talked it over with the others. Thorn, Luna, Mars, Smilee, and Ever, we would like to officially invite you to be part of the Expendables."
Ever brightened up and looked to her dad, "You really agreed to that?"
"It's not like you would have listened anyway. You're too much like your old man." My dad joked.
I hugged him, "Thank you." I said, "So when do we get our tattoos?"
"You're not getting a tattoo." My dad laughed, "You're exempt from that rule."
"I'm exempt? Is this you still trying to display some parental control? Because you lost all control the moment I turned eighteen." I said and turned to Barney, "You make the appointments and we'll show up. I want mine first thing tomorrow."
"Who's in charge here Ever?" Barney asked.
"You are." I muttered and crossed my arms.
"That's right, now let go."
Even though Barney reminded me about who's in charge, he did take my request. He called me first thing in the morning and told me to be at the tattoo place at ten. So I went and I sat in a chair for an hour and half, getting the Expendables tattoo on my left shoulder blade.
It took a couple days but once we all had them done, it was time to celebrate. So we threw a party at the usual bar to welcome the new recruits. The five of us were standing around a table, admiring each others new tattoo. I was wearing a grey off shoulder shirt so people could see mine. I paired it with black skinny jeans and my usual combat boots. Luna ended up getting hers on her shoulder while the three men got theirs traditionally on their forearms.
Of course, this celebration wasn't just about the new recruits either. Caesar just made it out of the hospital and was the other guest of honour here. He just made it through the door as well, so I left the others to walk up to him.
"Hey Little Christmas, miss me?" He asked.
"I did. I'm glad you're better." I said and gave him a hug, "Now let me buy you a drink to celebrate."
"Only if you let me buy you one too."
I smiled, "Of course."
We made it to the bar and he sat down between my dad and Toll Road. The Bartender gave out a round of shots and we toasted Caesar before another round came round to toast the newbies.
Some people would think its weird, going to the bar with your dad and drinking with him and his friends and having fun. To me, it wasn't weird at all. This is where I fit in and I loved every minute of it. I went up to the bar a little later to order myself a drink and as I waited for the bar tender, I felt someone come up behind me and move hair over my shoulder before blowing on my tattoo.
I looked over and saw John. He stood up straight and look at me intensely, "Is there something that you needed John?"
"Why do you call me John?" He asked.
"Because that's your name." I answered, confused.
"Everyone else calls me Smilee – also my name."
I shrugged, "I guess I just like John better."
"Why do you do that?" He asked.
I raised a brow, "You're going to have to be more specific."
"Shrug and brush things off as if they're no big deal?"
"Habit?" I said with a shrug and faced the bartender who just came over, "Two Rickard Reds."
"See, you just did it again." He said.
"I don't know what you want from me." I sighed and turned back to face him, leaning on the bar.
"Maybe I don't want anything. Maybe I just want you."
"Two Rickard Reds." The Bartender said, just in time to delay my response, "That will be eight bucks."
"Put it on Lee Christmas' tab." I said, taking them and handing one to John.
I immediately put the beer to my lips and started taking the longest swing of life. John must have got impatient though because he pulled the beer bottle away from my lips and replaced it with his own lips. It wasn't the most graceful kisses by any means, considering beer had spilt down my face from when he pulled the bottle away, but it was still wonderful.
I placed my arms behind his neck, pulling him closer to me and I vaguely heard a clink behind me. I assume it's from him putting the bottles on the counter, because both his hands were freely running down my back and settled at my waist. It was a long, deep kiss in which teeth scrapped and tongues clashed without permission from either of us but we didn't care. We both had dominant personalities and it so obviously showed.
Once we pulled away, we were both breathing deeply and looking at each other dazedly, "How can you want me? We barely know each other. We didn't even meet very long ago." I said breathily.
"Does it matter when we met? You feel it, I feel it and we have awhile to get to know each other." He said and kissed me softly before completely pulling away from me.
"No, it doesn't matter." I answered.
"So tell me then Ever. Why did you kiss me?" He asked.
"Because I needed to. Because I wanted to. Because…I wanted you." I finally said and looked to the side only to see my father with a hard look in his eyes, "It's not me you have to win over though." I said.
John followed my gaze and laughed looking back at me, "How hard could it be?"
"Well, think of it this way. I'm twenty-one years old and have never had a boyfriend before. And it wasn't from lack of prospects."
"I think he's going to have to get over that because he doesn't scare me." John said and stepped in his direction.
I stayed where I was, watching the two of them talk for a few minutes. They both had serious looks and it looked like some threats were made. In the end though, my dad started walking over to me and John smiled at me from behind before turning and talking with Barney. My dad leaned on the counter next to me and we both looked straight ahead.
"So John Smilee." He started off, "Are you sure about this one kid?" He asked.
I nodded, "I am. The question is, are you?"
"I like him Ever. He's much better than those other guys you brought around. The best part is, he's equipped with the skills to keep you safe. More importantly, he wants to keep you safe."
I looked to my dad, "You decided all this from one conversation?"
He laughed, "No. The others talked to me. Any man that will throw his body over yours, in the middle of an explosion wins major points in my books."
"Toll Road?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, "He doesn't like anybody."
My dad laughed and I joined in before I was called up on stage for karaoke. I smiled at my dad, kissed him on the cheek, and went up on stage with all the other newbies. I was standing beside John as we sang and smiled when he put his arm around my shoulder. When the song came to an end, he jumped off the stage and brought me with him.
I was so happy, I couldn't even contain the feeling. I kissed John deeply before looking over to see what my dad was doing. He looked to be having a knife throwing contest with Doc and I laced my fingers with John, to pull him over to see. Doc and my dad were standing almost nose to nose as they each took out a knife and threw them with speed and precision toward the dart board. Both hitting the bull's-eye.
Doc's fell out of the board though, causing his smile to drop, "Best two out three." He said.
"No need." I said from between them.
They both turned to look at me and saw the knife I held in front of my nose. I let go of Johns hand and took a good five steps back so I was further from the dart board than they were and threw the knife. It flew right between their faces and landed right dead centre in the dart board, effectively knocking my fathers knife out as well.
"I so obviously win." I winked and took Johns hand again before turning to my dad, "We're going for a walk. Don't wait up."
Before my dad could say anything else, I dragged John out the door and into the cool night air. We walked for a few moments in silence, hands linked, just enjoying each others company when it was surprisingly John that broke it.
"What are we doing out here Ever?" He asked.
"Enjoying some alone time?" I asked more than said, "From the moment we've met we never truly had a moment alone to just talk. We were always surrounded by people and now we're not. We can go back if you like." I tacked on at the end, suddenly unsure of the decision to be alone.
"No, this is great. Maybe next time give me some warning." He said and then smirked, "We wouldn't want anyone to think you're kidnapping me."
I laughed and bumped his shoulder with my own. He let go of his hand and placed his arm around my shoulder, bringing me in closer. I breathed deeply, freely inhaling his masculine scent, not caring if he catches me this time. He laughed when he heard my deep breath and I just smiled.
"When you did that on the plane, I knew you were attracted to me."
I raised an eyebrow, "Seriously? That's when you knew?"
"When did you know?"
"When you threw yourself over me to protect me from the tanks. Which might I add is probably the only reason my dad likes you."
He stopped walking and turned to look me in the eyes, smoothing his fingers over my cheeks, "I would do it again, no matter how much you'd hate it."
He's right. I would hate it because it means he would be putting himself at risk. However, the sentiment itself made my heart swell and I attacked his lips with my own. He immediately started kissing back, pulling me as close to his body as possible, so that every inch of his muscle toned body was touching mine. I slid my hands up his drool worthy arms and around his neck, tightening my hold as well.
Everything about our contact was explosive. Our last major kisses were this way too. This time though, there was no war or a bar full of people to stop us. I pulled away and leaned forehead on his chest. I felt him smooth one hand over the small of my back and the other remained tangled in my hair. We were both breathing heavily; meaning neither of wanted to stop. However, we couldn't just stay in the middle of the sidewalk making out.
"You have your own place here in town now right?" I asked as breathily.
"Yeah, why?" He asked, slightly pulling away.
"Take me there." No other words were needed.