Oh goodness, you like it, you all really like it! :)
Enjoy the next chapter; this is a teeny filler before we hit the big battle and more drama. It's hard for me to write fillers, as I'm all about action, but without certain things being brought up and questioned, Cat's a very 2D character, I think.
So anyway, enjoy!
Cat dropped into the vent right after Snake Eyes, who had written his name down on a piece of paper once it was understood she didn't know sign language, but staggered when her legs hit the floor, a move that usually would have been nothing for her. Snake Eyes reached for her arm, trying to steady her, but Cat dropped down to one knee, both hands splayed on the floor, breathing heavily through her blood crusted nostrils.
"Cat!" Roadblock rushed over, kneeling next to her. He took one look at her bloody face and her labored breaths and turned to look at Snake Eyes, eyes ablaze. "What the hell happened Snake, I said look after her, not bring her back bloodied!"
Snake Eyes signed quickly, explaining he himself wasn't quite sure what had happened. Roadblock grabbed Cat by the shoulders and she looked up at him, lethargic and tired. He shook her a little as her head rolled to the side. "Cat, come on, talk to me."
"M'tired," she mumbled, trying to make her way to the ratty couch in the corner. Her guests had taken the mattresses she had set up around the space. She collapsed on it and almost immediately fell asleep, the blood loss and nausea finally getting to her.
Lady Jaye silently took out a water bottle and a rag, and gently began to clean the woman's face of dried blood, with CIRIS beeping lowly in warning, but Cat didn't stir. She was sleeping deeply, not to be bothered by Lady Jaye or her phone.
Snake Eyes tapped Roadblock on the shoulder to sign a question. 'Just what is the purpose of her phone?'
Roadblock sighed, rolling his shoulders and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I'm not sure, Snake, that's new. She didn't used to be such a tech junkie, but then again, I haven't seen her in almost five years."
"There, she should should be able to breathe easier," Lady Jaye stated, rocking back on her heels and standing up. "She just needs rest. And something to eat, as well."
They sorted the remaining individuals into watches, with two hour intervals. Although Roadblock was certain that the vent was a safe place to be, there was no harm in being careful. Storm Shadow took the first watch and slipped outside the vent, while the others settled in.
But Roadblock had a hard time sleeping. Snake Eyes was onto something; when did Cat become so into technology? Sure, he hadn't questioned it before due to the urgency of his mission, and it had helped him and his team escape and find answers...
A wave of guilt crashed over him. He'd been so concerned with his self appointed mission that he hadn't been looking out for Cat like he should have, and should have been wary of the signs with her new and extremely expensive tech. Where could she have gotten something like that?
He fell into a fistful sleep, already awake when Jinx tapped him for his watch. The sun was climbing the horizon as he scooted out of the vent. He seated himself, and watched the sun rise, thinking over the battle plan for the day.
"You didn't go over the plan with me, Block," Cat said, hopping up next to him. CIRIS had vibrated when she had received the maximum amount of sleep needed, so she woke up to talk to Roadblock and eat something. She munched on a stale granola bar as he slid his eyes over to her.
"Where did you get your phone, and that tech, Cat?" He asked, voice rumbling unhappily in his chest. She felt her stomach drop to her toes, but she kept a brave face.
"To put it in terms you understand, soldier boy; it's classified." Cat began to swing her legs back and forth over the edge of the vent. Roadblock slammed his hand down on the metal. Cat remained unfazed, watching the sun. "It's on a need to know basis, and right now, you don't need to know."
Cat's guests began to stir as the sun fully overcame the horizon, and she stood herself, popping her back and all her joints. Roadblock watched her, concerned as how he could count her ribs though her tank top. Shrugging, she offered him a hand, and said, "So, what's the plan?"
He sighed and stood with her help, explaining that they would crash at General Colton's house and flesh out the plan fully before the assault tomorrow. Cat rolled her eyes, flipping back inside the vent to gather an extra pair of clothes, these stealthier than her current pair. Saying good morning to the rest of the team quietly, she shoved her things into her backpack and scooted back outside into the open air, when she belonged and thrived.
One by one they climbed out of her little hole in the wall, and Flint jingled the keys. "We're taking the truck to Colton's. We may need it."
"I'll take the roofs," Cat said. "I'll watch for anyone tailing you."
It was like the state she had been in six hours ago was totally pushed from her mind, and before anyone could stop her, she was leaping rooftops and zipping across clotheslines. Roadblock sighed and rubbed his eyes, motioning for everyone to follow him down the fire escape, as he tried to push the annoying questions about his old friend out of his mind and focus on the mission.
Snake Eyes followed Cat until she was out of sight, and then met the ground team on the pavement. He signed to Roadblock. 'You're worried over her.'
Roadblock sighed, opening the passenger door and hopping in. "Always having answers but leaving questions in her wake; that's how Panther has always been and I'm afraid she'll never stop. Come on, Snake, we're Oscar Mike."