AN: Hey guys! I know it's been a loooong time coming but I finally got the next chapter up! So sorry for the ridiculous wait. I'm hoping to have a lot more time to write coming up and I'll be able to update more often. I would like to thank thekampfkind, Kadience, Deathcab4kimmie,corbsxx and Greek Warrior for the reviews. They really help a ton, and I appreciate the feedback! Anyway, on to the story! Review please!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Wade twirled a sword in his hand as he lay in bed. He kept the hotel room's television set blaringly loud, hoping the noise would drown out his thoughts.
No such luck.
He had taken a huge chance tonight, and in a way, put the whole operation in danger-not that he had any other choice. That's probably why he was so damn antsy.
It wasn't because he had lied to her...again. She seemed to believe him, although Wade couldn't help but wonder if she truly did. He didn't know her like he used to, and she had changed a lot in four years.
Wade set down his weapon and reached for the remote, shutting off the TV.
He thought back to their conversation in the kitchen, trying to remember her facial expressions, or body language. Trying to think if she had given away anything that could indicate his mission was in danger of being exposed.
But the only thing he could remember was how great she looked in that backless dark blue gown. He repeatedly had to stop his eyes from roaming over the smooth skin of her exposed back as they talked in the kitchen. She wasn't the 19 year old girl he knew in Manhattan anymore. She had grown into a woman. She carried herself with a new confidence, something she hadn't begun to explore when he knew her. Even her body was more woman-like, her curves ever so slightly more filled out, something he couldn't help but notice in that dress.
The kid had done good for herself.
And that made Wade happy. It helped ease some of the guilt he had been carrying for leaving her alone. And now she wasn't alone.
Now she has Ted...
Wade sneered without even realizing it.
Ted Donahue. What a joke. Yeah, he had money but...the guy just had no backbone. It always amazed and annoyed him how easily Ted caved to peer pressure, or ribbing from his friends. He was a nice guy, but Alex was already a nice enough girl. She needed someone stronger, someone who balanced her out. Someone who would have her back.
"Someone like you Romeo?"
Wade shut his eyes and sighed, cursing himself for being so off his game. If he hadn't been so distracted he would have sensed the moment Alan Connors had snuck in.
He pushed himself off from the bed, grabbing one of his katanas as he stood. Turning towards Connors, Wade wittingly pointed to his own temple with the tip of his sword.
"I thought I told you to stay outta my head."
Connors chuckled as Wade bent down to the mini-fridge and removed two soda cans. "Wilson, your mind is too fascinating not to read. It's unbelievable the shit that goes on in there."
"What are you doing here anyway? Don't you have Kramer's dry cleaning to pick up or something?" Wade tossed a soda to the other man and sat down in the nearest chair, resting his sword across his lap.
Connors sat on the edge of the bed, tapping the top of the can.
"First of all, asshole, I don't do dry cleaning. And you know exactly why I'm here. You wont check in with me, so I have to check up on you."
Wade balanced his chair on its back legs. " It's not exactly like I can give him a freakin' play-by play Alan. Besides, his little panic attacks are just entertaining enough to keep things interesting." he said with a smirk.
Connors laughed despite himself. " How about you just tell me how tonight went, alright?"
Wade let the front legs of his chair down with a quiet thud. He put his hand to his chin, feigning thoughtfulness.
"Well, first I had the damnedest time deciding what to wear..."
Connors shot him an annoyed look.
Wade smiled. "What? Boss wants details, I'll give him details."
The telepath rubbed his eyes and let out a tired sigh. " Wade, normally I can handle a three hour process of you deflecting questions while I try to maintain some semblance of a normal conversation, but it's been a long fuckin' night. Why don't we just get to the part where you actually tell me what I want to know, okay?"
Wade had known Alan Connors long enough to know when not to push it, and normally he could'nt care less. But studying Connor's body language, Wade could see how tired he was. He decided to cut him some slack-for tonight.
The two mutants weren't exactly friends, but they had known each other since they had started out in the mercenary field years ago. They had even worked together a few times. Although Wade usually preferred to do his killings solo, he had to admit he liked the guys style. He came off quiet and reserved, but Alan Connors planned out his kills down to a tee, and rarely didn't deliver. Wade liked to think they both had a mutual respect for each other from their experiences.
" I got some face time with Donahue."
Connors raised his head with interest. "Oh?"
Wade cracked open his soda and took a gulp before continuing. "Oh yeah. He's real pleasant." Sarcasm laced his words. He thought back to the way Malcolm had just stood there staring at him, that grin never leaving his face. Even Wade had to admit to himself, it had been more than a bit unsettling. "I'm surprised more people haven't tried to off the creep."
"More people have, they just didn't succeed." Connors informed him.
Wade couldn't care less how many people had tried and failed. That creepy grin was motivation enough for him to finish the job.
He leaned forward in his seat, resting his fore-arms on his legs and making eye contact with the other mutant.
"I'll get him. You can count on that." A rarely seen seriousness coming over him.
Connors folded his arms. "Anything seem unusual? Did he seem overly suspicious?"
The mercenary momentarily considered telling Connors about his odd exchange with the millionaire, but dismissed the idea. Even if it was something to worry about, he could handle it on his own.
"Nothing unusual from what I read of his behavioral profile."
The telepath let his gaze fall to the floor, lost in thought. " Did he say anything to you?" he asked quietly.
Wade rolled his eyes. "Nothing worth repeating believe me. All you and Kramer need to know, is that this guy is as good as dead."
The other man looked up from the patch of carpet he had been concentrating on and smiled. " Your confidence is assuring but let's not get too cocky Wilson. As difficult as that may be for you."
Wade grinned and put his hands behind his head. "Haven't had a problem yet."
Connors began tapping the top of the can again, and glanced over at the man across from him. "And the girl?"
Wade's smile fell slightly, and he abruptly stood up, twirling his katana as he walked around the chair to the other side of the room. He made sure to keep his stride steady and confident.
"What girl?"
That nosey brain-picking bastard.
He had been hoping Connors would just let it go.
"What do you mean 'what girl'? The girl whose romantic well-being you were so concerned about a moment ago."
Wade kept his eyes trained on his weapon as he whipped it around idly but with more speed. "She's not an issue."
Connors shot the other mercenary a pointed look. "Bull. The fact that I didn't have a blade on my throat the second I snuck in the bathroom window tells me she's more than a little distraction."
Wade's eyes didn't leave his weapon.
"Wilson you can either tell me who she is or I can go in and dig it out myself, and I really don't want to have to do that."
Wade continued to ignore him, staying blatantly focused on the movements of his katana.
Connors watched him thoughtfully before hurling the unopened soda can directly at Wade's head. The can didn't make it halfway across the room before Wade, quicker than lightning, spun around and sliced the aluminum can perfectly in half. The syrupy brown liquid spattered against the walls and the bed.
"You owe me a new comforter." Wade said as he wiped the soda from his arm with his hand.
Connors stood from his chair and pointed a finger at Wade. "You're off your game Wilson."
"I hit the damn can!"
Connors jabbed his finger at Wade again, emphasizing his frustration. "You let me throw it."
A silence settled into the hotel room. Connors was right. Wade had been stumbling around trying to find his balance ever since he realized Alex was unwittingly mixed up in this whole mess.
" I put my ass on the line for you. I guaranteed my employer's that you were the one who could get this done..."
Wade closed his eyes in frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose as Connors continued to rant.
"... If I had known that all it took was a pretty face to distract you to the point of recklessness I wouldn't have called you!"
Eyes still closed, Wade leaned back until his shoulders hit the wall behind him and sighed.
He finally looked over at the other mercenary.
"Do you remember a few years back? When I uh...spent some time in New York?"
"Yeah, the Calloway hit. Took you 3 months to get that guy..."
"It took me one week."
Connors snorted. " And what? You decided to take in the sights? Cut to the chase Wilson before I do it for you!" The look Connors shot across to Wade conveyed the message that he would use his abilities if he needed to.
Wade pushed himself off the wall and strode past the telepath. "Look, I crashed with this girl for a few months, it's no big deal but I sort of ...ran into her tonight..."
Connors stared at him. " Did she recognize you? Is she in a position that could jeopardize your cover?"
"...she's Ted Donahue's fiance."
Connors' shocked expression was his only reaction before frantically digging in his pocket for his cell phone. "This is very bad Wade."
Wade reached for the counter inside the bathroom and grabbed a towel, wiping the left over soda from his arm as he walked back toward his colleague.
" I got it handled, okay?"
"Oh yeah? You explain to me exactly how you've "handled" this. Because you know what this sounds like to me? It sounds like you're an idiot who followed his dick and got his cover blown! I'm calling Kramer, and you can bet your ass you're off the job!"
The telepath whipped out his cell phone and began to dial. Without a word Wade brought his sword down on the phone knocking it out of the other assassin's hands before he could place the call. Wade stared Connors down, determination evident on his face. He had to finish this job. He had worked for months pretending to be that moron Ted Donahue's friend and was not about to lose his shot at arguably one of the most power men in America.
" I'm telling you, I've got it under control. I fed her some bull shit story that should keep her off my back until I finish this thing. It's only three days Connors, and I'm so close. Don't be an idiot. We could have this guy in three days."
Connors took a step toward Wade met his glare. " You show me Wilson. You show me exactly what you told her."
Wade let out an annoyed scoff. "Show you? What the fuck are you talking about?"
This time it was Connors turn to show off his quick reflexes and like a shot, he snapped his hand out- placing his fingers against Wade's Temple before he had a chance to react.
And just like that he was inside the mercenaries mind and shifting through his most recent memories.