Disclaimer: I own nothing but original characters.
Am back with a new chapter, hope its good enough. Thanks for everyone who's been reading this, hope youre enjoying it.
Emily
I found myself in the training room at four in the morning, unable to rest any longer. The events that occurred a few days ago weighed heavily on my mind. It had been the best night of my life yet it was eating at me like nothing ever had before. I had avoided Chuck ever since, unwilling and unable to face him, to talk to him for fear of what his reaction may be. I could tell he wanted to talk about it, for a while he kept trying to get us alone but eventually he seemed to give up. I hated this, I had grown close to him and now was missing him but I knew it was easier for us both this way. So here I was, in one of the only rooms I found comfort in, the only way to release the tension that had built up within me.
My mind was so focussed that I almost missed the sound of footsteps creeping up behind me. The familiar smell of leather wafted in my direction, the soft sound of boots filled my ears as a warm hand rested on my shoulder.
"What are you doing here at this time?" James's voice followed and I felt myself relax instantly.
"I couldn't sleep." Was my reply as I turned to meet his concerned stare, his warm brown eyes meeting my cool blue ones.
"I guessed that much, now do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on with you and Chuck? One moment you guys are close, next you're back to ignoring each other." His stare intensified as he stood waiting for an answer.
"We weren't that close. It's nothing, just drop it…" I spoke and went to walk off but a hand on my arm stopped me in place.
"Bullshit Emily, I thought you trusted me." His words sent a pang of guilt rushing through me. I did trust him.
"I do, James, really I do it's just not something I want to talk about." I tried but he wouldn't let up. "Okay, we slept together." I spoke under my breath but it was loud enough for him to hear, the gasp made that evident.
"You what?! How? When? What happened?" His face was astonished but the cheeky grin followed.
"He came over after we took down Kaiju with some vodka and we drank a little too much." I felt my cheeks flush as I recounted the story.
"That's incredible." He spoke before his face turned in disgust. "Oh thanks a lot! Got that to look forward to next time we drift! Thanks for ruining my life!" He started chuckling not long after and I playfully gave him a push.
"Not funny!" I retorted but that just spurred on his laughter.
"So why are you here? And why aren't you with him?" His face became serious once again as he spoke. I sighed at that, wishing things were simpler.
"Because, this is Chuck we're talking about. He's not looking for anything and, well, I don't want to deal with it. Im just another notch on the bedpost James." I dropped my head to look at the floor, my eyes uncontrollably filling with moisture. I hated Chuck for what he was doing to me. I was strong, I was a fighter, a survivor. But right now I was weak.
James's arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his chest. "Hey, Emily, you need to talk to him. And if he hurts you I'll kick his ass." A small laugh escaped my lips at that as I pulled myself closer into him. James was my best friend and I could always count on him to cheer me up.
"Thank you." I whispered softly against him.
Later that day I saw Chuck in the dining hall sat with his father and the team that worked on Striker. He wasn't looking at me, instead he was feeding Max, ignoring all that was going on around him. I noticed his father stealing glances at his son, the look of sadness evident in his eyes. I knew things were strained between the two but I could tell Herc wanted things to be different. I felt sorry for him; I would cherish every moment with my father if he was still alive yet Chuck sat there, almost oblivious to his father's presence.
I looked over at James who gave me a wink and nodded over to where Chuck was sat, motioning for me to go over there. He gave me a small squeeze on my shoulder before I stood and slowly walked over to Chuck. I saw his expression harden as he saw me, turning back to look at Max.
"Hey Emily, what brings you over here?" Herc was the one to speak.
"Hi Herc, just wondered if I could speak to your son?" I looked at Chuck who was looking anywhere but at me.
"Chuck." Herc cautioned slightly, sending a glare his way.
Begrudgingly, Chuck looked up at me, a stern look in his eyes, guarded and angry. "I don't want to talk to you." He grinded through his teeth before standing and walking away, calling for Max to follow him.
I felt tears well up in my eyes but I dug my nails into my hand to stop them from falling. I had to stay in control of my emotions if I was to look strong to the other pilots around me. I saw Herc mouthing 'go after him' to me and I nodded, turning to the direction Chuck had gone. His strides were long and determined but I managed to catch up with him.
"Chuck!" I called after him and, while he stopped, he still wasn't facing me.
"What do you want?" He spat out, his words cutting at me like a dagger.
"To talk." I replied and this time he span around, his glare almost choking.
"I tried to talk to you, that's all I've been doing but you were ignoring me. Now you want to talk." The venom in his voice was evident as was the pain behind the words and the hurt started to appear behind his guarded expression.
"I know. Im sorry." I spoke softly, trying to ease the tension that had built.
"You're sorry? You have some nerve." He strode towards me so there was only about half a metre between us.
"I wasn't sure how you'd feel about what happened." I whispered and I saw him momentarily soften.
"So you thought ignoring me was the best way of dealing with it?" His face was hard again in a flash.
"I know it was wrong. I just couldn't face you, especially when you thought it was a mistake." My head dropped but I felt a warm hand lift my chin. Chuck had moved even closer, warm blue pools were staring at me and I felt my pulse quicken as I felt his hot breath against my face.
"What made you think that?" He spoke softly now, the anger, the bitterness, the hatred gone from his voice and his face was smooth, the glare now replaced by a look of sadness.
"Because…" I had no answer; I was lost in his eyes, my self-control taken in an instant.
"So you don't regret it?" He almost whispered and all I could do was shake my head in response before I felt his lips capture mine in a soft kiss. "Neither did I." Those words had my heart racing again.
"The repairs have almost been completed and the modifications added to Midnight… Oh shit sorry, I didn't realise… Uh…" I turned around to see Jacob, one of the mechanics for Midnight Tempest, stopped dead in his tracks a look of sheer terror and confusion etched across his face as he shook. "Look, im really sorry… God I didn't realise…" His verbal diarrhoea unstoppable as he stumbled on words, his face now a painful crimson.
"Just relax Jacob." I silenced him. "Thanks for letting me know." He nodded but was still unmoving.
"You can go now." Chuck spoke up, motioning for the poor guy to leave. "Geez what's up with that guy?"
"Hey, don't be mean, thinks a little scared of you." I teased as a huge grin spread across his face.
"Good, I've got a reputation to uphold." His eyes flashed a little. "As long as you're not."
"Of you? God no. You're just a little puppy." I replied with a slight chuckle as he feigned a look of disappointment before he pulled me close, lips against mine again as his arms wrapped around me. "You know it's a little public here, wouldn't want any more mechanics stumbling upon us." I spoke against him.
He pulled back a little, arms still around me. "That's true." His eyes held mine for a few more seconds before he removed his arms and took a step back, holding out his arm to me. "Take a walk with me then?"
"Of course." I replied, taking his arm.
