A/N: I'm rubbish. I'm sorry. I've had a hectic month and really bad writers block. I know, excuses. Please forgive me? But yay, This has passed 25k words. Makes me happy. Thank you if you have stuck with me.
I ran my finger over a raised silver scar on her shoulder, following the curve as the point touched the base of her neck. A soft shiver drew my attention and Paige pressed into me further, leaving no room between us. Her breathing was still even and fairly shallow so I knew she was still asleep. I let my mind wonder back to the previous night. I'd never spent that much time dwelling on my sexual preferences; I'd understood who I was from a young age, but this was the first time since The Minister came to our city that I'd explored the possibility of falling for someone. Somehow, this tiny and battered girl had wormed her way into my heart and forced me to pay attention. My lips still tingled with the memory of the kiss and I yearned to taste her again but my responsibilities niggled at the back of my mind, telling me that I had better things to be worry about than a doomed romance.
Paige shifted against me again, her tee riding up to expose her protruding hipbone and her flat stomach with the faint outline of abdominal muscles. I traced the flat of my nail lightly over a welt that ran from just beneath her ribs to the dip of her belly button. My movements were stopped when she interlaced her fingers with mine. "Tickles," she mumbled thickly.
I smiled and whispered, "Good morning," into her ear. Her grip on my hand tightened and she turned onto her back, locking her gaze into mine and holding it there. Her free hand made its way to my face, cupping my cheek gently. My earlier thoughts were forgotten as I got lost in the warm brown orbs keeping me captive. Her thumb stroked over the skin near my ear then along my jaw to my bottom lip. I shivered at the touch but made no move to stop her.
"Quinn? Do you have a sec?" The moment was interrupted as Amber stuck her head around the door. I turned to glower at her, ignoring the slight giggle from beneath me. "Oh, sorry. Uh, whenever you're ready." She lowered her eyes and dipped her head before disappearing as suddenly as she had arrived. I glared at the now vacant doorway for a few more seconds before exhaling through my nose. I glanced down to see Paige smirking at me, amusement dancing in her beautiful eyes.
"I'm glad you find it funny," I teased. She nodded gently, a smile still playing on her lips. I rolled my eyes before placing a soft kiss to her temple. With a heavy sigh I sat up and stretched, wincing at the loud pop that came from my spine.
"You must be getting old," Paige taunted from her position on the floor. She had rolled onto her side, head propped up on the heel of her hand. I raised an eyebrow and stuck my tongue out at her, garnering a deep laugh that caused my stomach to flip. I stood with a shake of my head and pulled a pair of combat trousers over my thin sleeping shorts, but kept my baggy shirt on.
"I should go," I mumbled reluctantly. Paige nodded from the floor and watched as I wound through the islands of sleeping kids. I stretched again, rolling my neck to work out the tense muscles that would ultimately lead to a headache, before making my way to Amber tech lair. I found Noah, Mike, Tina and Christopher hovering around a large table; each with a piece of paper in their hands.
"Sorry if I interrupted anything," Amber mumbles next to me. I flashed her a sly smile and shook my head; my short blond locks dancing around my face lazily.
"Don't sweat it. What do you have?" She returned the smile; hers of relief, and gestured to a few piles of what looked to be plans on the table.
"I've printed out the floor plans for each base. I thought I'd let you and the others come up with a strategy for any raids you are organising. If you need anything I'll be going over a few things," she pointed to a cluttered desk in the corner and shuffled off. I nodded my thanks before stepping up to the rest of the group.
"Talk to me guys." Mike turned his sheet so it was the right way up and placed it in front of me. I glanced at him to see if he was going to say anything but he merely pressed his lips into a thin line.
"Mike's right, the city base close to the south wall is going to be our best bet. They seem to have fewer defence measures and looser security." I looked at Noah with a quirked eyebrow. How did he know the measures each base had in place? He smirked and nodded to Amber.
"Amber, do you have a list of security practices for the bases?" She turned and looked at me for a second.
"Did I not mention that?" I smiled at her as she began fussing around a stack of papers. "Ha! Here." She handed me a file before resuming her previous task. I smirked softly her back a moment longer then laid the information on the table. It outlined the personnel assigned to each base, any alarm systems; though it didn't include the disarming codes, and any other defences.
We spent the next few hours poring over the various files and schematics for each base, starting with the south base then progressing to the one outside the city by the sea. As we formulated a plan for each building, Tina sat quietly and took the notes; splitting up the plan into action points for each person. I thanked her for her thoughtfulness as I reviewed the timetable of events.
"Christopher, take your most careful guys and scout each route out carefully. I don't want any surprises on the way." He nodded stoically. "Noah, I want you, Tina and Mike to watch the patrols in the area. I want to know when they get there, when they leave, when they eat, when they go to the toilet, everything. Names if you can get them, if not just descriptions. I want how often they rotate, how many per shift, if it's the same teams every time or if they change. Any personal details you can get would be good too." He smiled but said nothing. "Okay. I'll talk to Derek and Steve; we will need muscle as well." I was interrupted by my growling stomach. "And on that note, we'll break for food." Everyone pitched their agreement and we made our way to the cafeteria. I wolfed down a quick lunch then excused myself to find the two imperturbable brothers.
I found them in a training room duelling each other. I stood to the side and watched them circle each other, feeling out a weakness or waiting for an opening. Eventually Steve feinted to the right and drew a tight punch from Derek. Steve gripped his wrist and twisted, using Derek's momentum to flip him over his hip. The younger brother kept his hold on the wrist and bent it around to the right. Derek grunted, the only indication that it was painful and rolled back onto his shoulders. He used his legs to flip onto his feet, grabbing Steve's hands in the process and used the motion to reverse the pressure. Steve immediately let go and lashed his foot out at his brothers' thigh. Derek moved with the blow and turned to deliver his own kick to the abdomen.
Steve stumbled back but quickly regained his footing. He shot a glance at me then held up his hand to stop the oncoming attack from Derek. "What's up boss?" He panted.
"I'd forgotten how much fun training could be," I replied with a smirk. Derek smiled patiently while Steve chuckled and began stretching his muscles out. "I'm going to need some heavies. Ones you trust that are good." Derek nodded slowly, his eyes flicking across the ground. I knew he was going over all of his guys and picking out the ones he felt were most suitable. Steve stepped forward and gestured to the space. I hesitated for a second before turning to the storage corner, picking up a cropped support top. I pulled my oversized shirt off and the short top on, adjusting it for comfort. Once I was ready and had stretched I met Steve in the middle of the room and assumed a defensive stance.
Steve launched a fist at me and I blocked it easily, tentatively throwing my own back. He skipped backwards out of my reach and smiled. I rolled my eyes and began circling him. We traded a few sparing punches before he stepped into my space and landed a blow to my chin. I turned with the strike and dropped into a crouch, swiping my foot along the ground and catching his ankles. He landed on his back with a grunt but recovered to block the kick aimed for his ribs. He gripped my foot and pushed it up away, throwing my balance off for a split second. I used the momentum to execute a back flip, righting myself to see him on his feet and waiting for me. I nodded my appreciation of the fight so far and started circling him again.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Derek watching us intently, studying our movements and, no doubt, preparing the critical feedback he would give us after we were done. Wanted or not. I smirked gently and turned my attention back to Steve. His cool blue eyes flicked over me, watching for a sign of attack as I did the same to him. I made the first move this time, feinting a high kick aimed for his head. I kept my eyes on his face but pulled back at the last second and sent my heel for his gut. With his hands up; ready to block the blow to his head, my foot connected sweetly with his stomach and he doubled over with a grunt. I snapped my leg back and sent another kick to his chin, now significantly lower than it had been. He just got one hand up to parry the shot but couldn't block it completely.
He landed on his side with a groan and scrambled back to avoid the kick intended for his ribs once again and managed to get to his feet. I followed him quickly and slammed him into the wall, twisting his arm to plant him face first into the steel. He tried to shoot an elbow at my head but I ducked it and increased the pressure on his arm. "Okay, okay. You win," he grumbled. "You didn't need to try and fracture my arm." I let go and stepped back. He turned and rubbed his sore limb carefully.
"Sorry. I'll be more gentle next time." I stuck my tongue out at him and was rewarded with a rare laugh from Derek.
"She kicked your ass little brother." Steve sent him a glare before dropping to the floor and bending forward to stretch out. I followed his example and straightened my legs in a 'V' to maximise the pull. "Quinn, you drop your shoulder a little before you throw a punch. It's small but noticeable once you see it." I nodded, knowing it was a habit I used to have but had worked out with practice.
"I'll get back in here and work through it." He nodded and turned to Steve.
"You take your eye off your target when you're thinking you attack through. I can see it in your face." Steve just grunted a response then looked at me.
"You should go against Charlie. She'd be more of a challenge for you. She's a lot more agile." I smiled at his suggestion. Charlie had been a gymnast before being captured. In the experiments they increased her ability. Now she was insanely flexible and her movements flowed like water. Her balance and climbing skills were also incredible. It would be difficult to just get my hands on her, let alone beat her in a fight. I nodded shallowly, the motion not lost on Derek.
"I'll step it up for tomorrow if you want."
"Sure. I'd also like you to start teaching Paige some basics. I don't know how much she knows, but until we figure out what they did to her we should at least prepare her." He bobbed his head in agreement. I braced my hands on the floor and jumped to my feet before waving goodbye to the brothers. I headed to the bedrooms to grab my wash stuff then made my way to the showers. The tepid spray settled my twitching muscles and felt good over my heated skin. After drying off and changing clothes I looked around the compound for Paige, eager to present my suggestion to her. I found her in the library with Sally and a couple of the younger kids.
Paige was sat against a wall with Sally curled up on her crossed legs, reading a faded and tattered book together. She looked up when I entered the room, a shy smile lighting her face. I returned with a grin of my own, my heart tripping on its own beat for a second or two. She whispered something in Sally's ear before gently guiding her to the floor and handing her the book. She stood and crossed to me, her hand reaching for mine and holding a few fingers lightly. My skin tingled at the contact and I had to swallow a soft groan at the feeling.
"Are you okay?" She questioned quietly, her deep chocolate orbs boring into mine own hazel ones. I nodded, not trusting my voice and gestured with my free hand to the door. She walked with me into the main atrium and through into the office.
"I've had an idea, if you're up for it of course," I began nervously. Her eyes shone with interest and she signalled me to go on. "I was wondering if you wanted to start combat training. It would be helpful if you knew how to fight." Her expression grew apprehensive for a second before it dissolved to a frown of concentration. I let her work through her thoughts patiently.
"You think I'm going to need to fight?" She asked uneasily.
"No," I hurried, "but it will be good for you to learn it. Just in case something happens and I'm not around to protect you." I gripped her hand, trying to placate her.
"I need protecting?" A hard edge crept into her voice and alarm bells rang in my head.
"Well-"
"So, I'm just a helpless little girl that can't help herself?" Her face twisted in anger and she yanked her hand back. "Is that what you think of me?"
"No, Paige. That's not what I meant. I just meant that until we know what they did to you, it may be best to learn the combat training." She bristled at my words and stomped her foot once before storming for the door. "Paige!"
"Just- Don't Lucy." Her flushed cheeks and hard eyes rooted me to the spot and I let her go. She had called me Lucy for the first time. No one switched between my names. I was either Quinn or Lucy. Never both. I sagged onto the desk and blew a heavy breath out. After running my fingers through my hair a few times I took notice of the ache blooming in my chest. I'd hurt her.
"Fuck," I cursed softly. I let myself into the study room and sat in the oversize armchair. I drew my knees up to my chest and sighed. Resting my forehead between my knees I thought of my father. Not the twisted image from my dream or my last memory of him but the kind smile and laughing eyes. Tears sprung to my eyes, unbidden and stinging. "What do I do Dad? Do I let myself fall in love? Or do I kept fighting and ignore my own feelings? Can I do both?" I let the tears fall, marking darker tracks on my black trousers. I closed my eyes and wished for answers to my questions.
I awoke under someone's intense scrutiny and jerked my head up to take in my surroundings. I was still in the study. "You fell asleep and I didn't want to wake you." Noah's soft voice drifted to me from by the door. I rolled my neck and glanced over at him. He was sat against the wall, his position mirroring mine except his head was leant back on the cold steel. I cleared my throat and ran my tongue around my dry mouth.
"What time is it?" Noah shrugged.
"Late. Paige wanted me to tell you that she was going to stay with Sally tonight, she wasn't feeling well." I nodded sadly, not entirely surprised with the knowledge. "Which I think is bull crap." I smirked at his use of words; for once not swearing when he normally would've.
"And why do you think that?" I questioned hoping he would lift my mood.
"Cuz Sally is fine and Paige has been in a bad mood all afternoon. What did you do?" I snapped my gaze back to him.
"What did I do? I did nothing more than offer my help." Fury bubbled up inside me and I felt my skin flush with heat.
"Whoa. Okay, I was just asking." He held his hands up in surrender. "So what happened?" I sighed and shifted slightly, running a hand over my face.
"I had a session with Steve today." Noah nodded that he knew. "I suggested to Paige that it might be a good idea for her to begin training. Until we understand what they did to her, it would be best for her to learn how to defend herself. She took from my words that I think her to be weak and unable to help herself." I finished with another sigh, looking into his warm brown eyes. "That wasn't what I meant."
"I know. At some point we all went through some training. Just give her some time, she'll see that you didn't mean-"
"If something happens here and we aren't around, there will be no one to protect the younger ones. She is new and doesn't understand that we are a family." I cut him off with irritation. Noah stood and moved in front of me, taking my hand in his.
"I know that. You know that. She just needs time," he reiterated softly. "Talk to her tomorrow." I hummed my assent and squeezed his fingers by way of thanks.
"I'm going to grab some food and head to bed." He dipped his head and helped my stand, pulling me into his embrace.
"Don't pull away from her." I closed my eyes against his words, unwilling to let him see the fear in my eyes. Running was my first course of action when it comes to feelings and he knew that.
"I won't. Thank you Noah." I pulled away and walked past him, hurrying into the cafeteria to sate my hunger. After eating alone, I slipped into the corridor that lead to the escape hatch at the rear of the compound. I keyed in that six-digit code and stepped into the tight vertical tunnel. I climbed from the ledge onto the ladder and descended into the dark shaft. Once I reached the bottom I turned left and followed the small lights dotting the walls at ankle height until I reached the end. I lifted the grate above my head and hoisted myself from the hole, making sure to replace the metal grill.
A swift breeze cut through my thin clothes and caressed my skin, raising goosebumps over my arms and torso. I crept into the nearest alleyway and climbed a fire escape to access the roof. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the distinctive glass dome that topped the only part of our compound that remained standing. Pushing off the tiny sill I padded across the roof and sat against the disused brick chimney stack. I looked to the sky and found the pale crescent moon hanging silently amongst the stars. Thoughts raced through my mind until I slipped into a dreamless sleep, stretched out on the old apartment roof.
A/N2: The angst was unexpected. I really didn't plan for it before hand. I hope this was good enough for the length of time you've been waiting. If not, I've kind of gotten back into the groove of the story so there shouldn't be another month long wait.