Here is another chapter! Enjoy and Happy Friday!
~Present Day~
Nathan lay on his back resting, staring up at nothing and deep in thought. Grey metal walls surrounded him, making him feel like he was in prison, perhaps even a prisoner. His body was sore and aching but he welcomed it with open arms. He trained all day long, sometimes late into the night to prepare his body for what was to come. He was going to be on a mission. The most important mission of his life. Nathan stared up at the fluorescent lights high above and just thought about the events that happened just days ago.
A few days ago, he and Alex had an explosive argument. Things turned for the worse when two men, dressed in business suites arrived at Nathan's door hours after their argument.
These two no-named men told him that Alex was in grave danger and they could use his help in saving her. No further details were given to Nathan and acting upon impulse, he agreed to go with these two men. He loved Alex and if anything was wrong, he would run in and try to save her with all his power.
He was driven through the city, ending up in an underground facility he now knew as Division. He later found out that the two men that escorted him were Division agents who ended up teaching Nathan the ways of a gun, handle physical fights, both offense and defence.
He had the ultimate crash course that Division could offer. All he knew was that they were preparing him for a mission. A mission to save his Alex and they needed him specifically to save her. But an uneasy feeling constantly nagged at him.
Suddenly, snapping him out of his thoughts, a persistent knock echoed through his door and into his room. A young to middle aged woman stepped in wearing red heels and her signature red dress. He learned that many other agents here at Division feared this woman known as Amanda.
"Nathan, Percy is ready to see you right now." Amanda instructed professionally. Nathan followed her into the dark hallways and into Percy's large office.
"Hello, Nathan." Percy greeted from his luxurious desk
Nathan looked up at Percy confidently and replied, "Have you found Alex yet? Is she okay?"
"Please, take a seat. We have much to talk about." said Percy. Nathan took a seat and looked across the room where Amanda stood poised coolly against the wall. "So, how are you finding it here in Division?"
"I've learned what your other agents taught. I'm ready. Let me save her." Nathan said firmly. Honestly, he didn't quite know what he was getting himself into but he definitely felt more equipt with a few new skills up his sleeves. He just wanted to see his Alex again safe and sound before something really goes wrong.
When he first arrived in Division, he was told by Percy that Alex was being experimented on and pumped with a deadly toxin by the people closest to her. He still remembered what Percy had told him that night when he arrived in Division.
~Flashback to Nathan's first night at Division~
Percy and Amanda greeted Nathan as he entered Division through the main elevators. "It is very nice to finally meet you Nathan. I understand that you care about Alex, one of our best agents." Percy then cut to the chase, "we believe you may be able to save her life."
Nathan was scared for Alex and began to panic, "What happened to her? Where is she? Is she okay? No one is telling me anything!"
Being calm as ever, Percy simply replied, "She will be with your help."
Without thinking twice about where he was at, who he was talking to, or his own future, Nathan simply replied, "What can I do to help her?"
"Alex has been given a strong dose of lethal toxin by some people close to her in secret. They are experimenting on a new toxin. This toxin is uniquely one of a kind that kill it's victims slowly. At the late stages of metabolism and distribution of the drug in the body, one by one, her organs will begin to fail, her brain will begin to boil from the inside out with high fevers." Percy explained seriously. He looked at Nathan who was speechless and taking everything in. "We have scientists who will be working hard to prepare an antidote to her unfortunate exposure."
Amanda then explained unceremoniously, "At a particular phase of drug metabolism, Alex will experience a mild case of delirium and hallucinations. At this point, we plan to break in, and extract her from the kidnappers to bring her back to our lab for a cure. These kidnappers are highly trained professionals, rogue assassins. We asked for your help because when Alex is in this phase of the drug metabolism, she will be resilient in going anywhere with strangers. If she sees you, she may be willing to leave the two perpretrators whom she seems to completely trust."
~End of Flashback~
~Present Day~
Nathan reflected on the past week and a half. The past week and a half could mean life or death for Alex, at least in his point of view and from what he was told by these two Division associates in front of him.
A day after he walked out on Alex, he just distanced himself from the world to calm down and just reflect on what went down in Alex's bedroom. It really wasn't an ending either of them wanted. The more he thought about it, the more disappointed he was at himself for walking out on her.
Alex was a special girl. The way she looked at him, the way she walked, the way she cared about him. Someone he truly loved. He knew Alex was in some kind of trouble and yet he just had to doubt her, and worst of all, walk out on her.
He thought back to their argument that transpired just days ago. That day was supposed to be the most memorable day of his life.
~Flashback to the argument between Alex and Nathan~
It was 1pm in the afternoon. Birds chirped energetically outside the room. The bright warm sun lit up the bedroom, with a warm comfortable glow, cascading across silk bed sheets.
Two people lay close together, entangled in each other's embrace as they slept soundly. For once, Alex had a day off and she was able to spend it with Nathan.
Alex stirred while Nathan just held her tighter against his toned chest with his cheek resting against her head. Alex could feel Nathan smiling as she snuggled up against him. She hadn't felt this comfortable and relaxed in … she couldn't even remember when the last time she fully relaxed was. Her lifestyle was too hectic to really enjoy a moment here and there.
"Good morning." Alex whispered groggily with a sly grin.
Nathan chuckled lightly, his throat and chest vibrating with his contagious laughs, "I think it's more like good afternoon, Alex." Unknowingly to Nathan, Alex's smile and laughter soon faded as she got immersed in her deep thoughts. She slowly and gently pulled away, lying back onto her own pillow.
Sensing that something was off, Nathan looked into Alex's sparkling bright blue eyes and asked, "Alex, what's wrong?"
Alex looked back into Nathan's eyes with a look of determination but still with a slight sense of uncertainty. "It's Alexandra. My name is Alexandra, not Alex. Nathan, I haven't told you things about me, about my past, my job... I need to tell you because it is eating away at me. And I—"
Nathan leaned in quickly and gave Alex an unforgettable tender kiss taking her breathe away. He held her face and gave one of his irresistible smiles. He loved dazzling her in the mornings, or afternoons, or nights. "Alex, I don't care about your past. I know you have things you can't tell me. But I can tell you one thing." Nathan reached for Alex's hand and held it close to his beating heart. He carefull articulated each and every word, "You are the most Genuine. Beautiful. Spirited, and lovely woman I have ever met. I want to spend the rest of my life with you Alex…" Nathan smiled, "…or Alexandra. Forget about the past. Let's move forward and never look back."
Alex melted right then and there with his choice of words. Nathan devotedly continued, "Alex,, I love you so much." He caressed her face, took a deep breath and asked, "Alex, will you marry me?" Simultaneously, he pulled out a dark blue box from under his pillow. He opened the box slowly revealing a sparkling diamond ring. Alex's eyes went wide with surprise and what seemed like mixed emotions.
Alex tormented by her current status in Division and with her position almost being compromised…and then Nathan proposing. Everything was happening so fast. She was happy beyond belief. This was what she wanted, a normal life with Nathan. To move far away, start a family and live the life of a young adult. But that good life seemed so far away. Nikita and Michael were in the midst of planning her escape. Her life was far from normal. It was complicated with endless loose ends to tie up before she can live her life as an adult.
The tormented way Nathan looked at her pulled at her heart strings. He was so real. This was real. Alex was speechless. Seconds had passed, than minutes. Nathan still waited patiently but when seconds turned into minutes, he knew that something was off.
"Alex…" Nathan questioned.
Alex's emotions spilled out as she slowly started to explain, "Nathan, I- right now is not a good time." Nathan pulled away, realizing what she was trying to tell him.
He looked away, already remorseful that he had asked. 'Maybe I asked too soon.' he thought dejectedly.
Alex grabbed onto his arm stopping him from moving even farther away, "Nathan, I want to spend the rest of my life with you but right now… my work… I can't."
Nathan put his big hands over Alex's smaller ones and lifted her hand off his arm. He turned away from her and getting up to get dressed. At the moment, the rejection was too much. He was so sure. So sure that Alex would say yes. He just needed to get away and just… not think. Alex got out from underneath the comfortable blankets to meet the cool air. Alex pleaded with a tormented cry, "Nathan, please listen to me."
Nathan turned around looking at Alex who was now in front of him. "Alex, I don't understand. What is it that is getting between us? If you are in trouble, I can help. You need to talk to me" he pleaded back.
"Nathan, I can't. It will get you killed." she honestly cried out, tears freely sliding down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry Alex, I need to go." Nathan coldly replied. Alex quickly stood in front of him, blocking the only way out of the bedroom.
"Nathan, wait."Alex said boldly. She paused momentarily thinking about her decision and spilled it out, "I work for a secret government organization called Division." Alex gazed up into Nathan's eyes which mirrored confusion and impatience. Alex continued, "Division trains people to become government assassins. I am trying to get out but the time hasn't come yet. I— "
"Alex, if you want me out, you should just say so. Don't give me these excuses. Government assassins?" Nathan furiously exclaimed. He blinked several times, trying to hold back tears of anger, sorrow and regret. He leaned towards the right, and walked past Alex who still stood at the doorway.
His footsteps slowly faded into the distance as Alex realized what she had indirectly turned away. She just wanted to have a relationship with no lies. She had rehearsed in her mind and even in her dreams on how she would tell Nathan everything. The birds had stopped chirping, as if they sensed the tension in the room. The birds probably flew away towards freedom that they can easily choose. She suddenly felt very alone.
Fresh tears made it's way down her cheeks as she just stood, bare foot, taking in all the emotions she was experiencing. "I love you too, Nathan." whispered Alex. She looked across the room where her unmade bed was. Sitting in the middle of the bed was the sparkling engagement ring, "and my answer is yes, I do want to spend the rest of my life with you, Nathan."
~Back to the Present Day in Percy's office~
"Now, Nathan, as per our agreement, are you ready to proceed to the next step?" asked Percy, putting on a "genuinely" sincere expression. He continued to add, "This next step is risky but you have trained well in the short time you've been here. We are very impressed."
Nathan nodded and replied, "Yes, I'm ready."
"Perfect. You will have eight agents accompanying you to the scene. You will focus on extracting Alex safely from her two kidnappers. Their names are Nikita and Michael. The agents outside this room will inform you on the intel and strategic plan." Percy easily instructed. "You can go now. Good luck." Nathan nodded, took one last look at Percy and Amanda, then left the room.
When the door closed, Amanda chuckled lightly and commented, "He's easy to fool."
Percy still with his expressionless face responded, "He sure is the perfect little puppet. Quite a fast learner too. Unfortunate he won't be able to be with Division for long. He would be a devoted agent."
"Well, when Alex arrives, we can give her the new serum and start our new experiment. Kalume's scientists are in the lab at level 3 all ready to do what they do best." Amanda exclaimed and smirked, "I'm actually very excited for the events to come. Hopefully Alex won't expire before we finish with her."
Hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I did writing it! It definately is much longer than my other chapters. :)
Hmm... what do you think with what just went down? Any predictions on what Nathan got himself into and what Percy & Amanda are planning?
What is this experiment Amanda speaks of? Are you enjoying where my fanfic is going?
~Don't forget to leave a review~ !