Dancing On Loveless Lane
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Summary: After last year's events, Hilary couldn't help but wonder what Kai was hiding from her. But things are about to change as she stumble on Kai's deadly secret.
Pre-Story: Thinking of You
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Chapter 7 – Battle time...
"Finally...HOME!" Max said happily as he walked in arm in arm with Mariam. "Men...All this undercover secret agent stuff is so tiring by just sitting by the sideline..."
"Try exhausting... At least all we have to do is act all normal." Mariam told him as she sat back on the couch.
"Define Normal..." Mariah said annoyingly as she entered the mansion, Rei followed as quickly as though watching the outside of the territory.
"Is it me or are we being watched..." Rei said quietly. His eyes were now cat like yellowish. It was during this mutation when Rei senses danger or when he is in a great deal of alertness.
"Rei..." Mariah said looking at the window of the house. "We got company.."
"Shit!" Max cried as he grabbed Mariam by the shoulder and they made a run back outside, "We are not suppose to panic..."
Crusher is outside the mansion, he surveyed the few people inside the house and made a proud move by walking towards his target. He laughed hollowly as they had suddenly move back outside to meet him, "Such modest..."
"Back off, Crusher!" Rei said as he suddenly appeared behind him. Crusher quickly turn around as Rei planted a hard kick on Crusher's chest. Crusher didn't budge a bit. Rei growled and tried another attack he knew but stopped...
"REI! NO! LET ME HELP!" Max yelled as he came out of nowhere carrying a base ball bat. He swung around and threw all his weight on the bat and the thing collided on Crusher's thigh. Crusher yelled and tried to grabbed the bat but Max was to quick that he just dodge the upcoming punch and Rei had a chance to take a the bat from him and quickly tried to hit Crusher on the shoulder to immobilize him.
"Where the hell—" Rei began but was sent flying back on the ground, skidding a few meter before his body stopped spinning.
"REI!" Mariah screamed as she rushed forward and tried to help but Mariam grabbed her and pulled her back.
"NO! We'll only—"
"They need us!"
"We need to think..." Mariam said as she tried to look for something that could help them immobilize the giant." The rope in the garden! We can help them with that!"
"Are you crazy!? Crusher can easily tear it!"
"Then what!!! Got any idea?" Mariah yelled as she saw Rei got caught by the neck and he was thrown back again.
"Kai keep's a room full of weapons in there! Come on!" Mariah said suddenly remembering it. The both girls rushed back inside the mansion.
Meanwhile Max had successfully pushed Crusher's arm from Rei's body and was desperately trying to push him down.
"Damn it... Where are those secret agents when you need them..." Rei gasped as he push away and Max held back with him. He clutched his side and saw Max was bleeding from the head.
"Oh yeah... That's likely for them to get here. When they're miles away!" Max yelled as Crusher got back on his feet.
"Damn it Crusher! Why—"
"I have to--- Sorry guys..."
Then it hit Rei hard, now he knew why, "Oh no... They got your sister?"
"I'm really sorry..." Crusher said as he went towards them. "She won't make it with them holding her..."
"We can help you. This is no way for you—"
"They will hurt her!" Crusher yelled as he threw a hard punch at Rei's direction but Rei evaded it quickly.
"The BBA can help, kai can get your sister back..."
"Brooklyn has power on all of us! I am powerless to fight him with my sister held hostage." Crusher said as he haulted in place. Rei and Max held back as they steadied for any action ready to throw at them.
Then out of nowhere Mariah and Mariam threw a metallic cable around Crusher and then without warning Rei and Max had taken hold of the end of teh cable and held Crusher down on the ground.
"Great work!" Max complimented as all of them tied the cable like a straight jacket around Crusher.
"NO! MY SISTER!" Crusher yelled as he desperately tried to free himself."THEY'LL KILL THEM!" he began to thrust everywhere, hoping to get loose of teh deadly grip of teh cable. "MY SISTER!" he cried.
"Calm Down! We can help..."
"Release him..."
All four heads turn around and as though they appeared, Kai, Bryan and Tala was behind them and with them... was Crusher's Sister, Monica...
"We got her out before they could really tie her down." Tala said as they approached them.
"BROTHER!" Monica cried as she rushed towards them. Rei and the other untie the cable and backed away as the two siblings reunited.
"Monica..."
"You were saying where we are?" Kai mocked Rei then it was over. All of them retreated to the mansion to get things clear, and if possible to get each and everyone of them some protection they truly need.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Uhhh...What happened to all of you?" Hilary asked as she found her housemates all applying first-aid on them and on each other. Then she turned around and found Crusher and Monica sitting at the other sofa. Looking as though they have never seen each other for awhile.
"Long story..." Mariah said as she applied antiseptic on Rei's forehead.
"AAHHHH!" Rei yelled, "Ouch..."
"Sorry...Too much?" Mariah asked.
"It's alright..." he said calmly. "How are you doing, Max?"
"Not as bad as you are..." Then suddenly all of their heads came whipping from the sudden burst of Kai's angry face.
"If the four of you ever... EVER! Do that kind of stunt again, I will have to throw you out of this mansion! Understand?" Kai yelled at them. "You all could have died! What if we didn't came in time? What if all of you were—"
"Calm down Kai! We're fine..." Max said as he gestured Kai to sit down.
"I don't believe this...Why didn't all of you just run?!"
"Please... We can handle ourselves. Just because you're the fighting maniac around here doesn't mean you have to look down at us as though we were helpless..."Mariah said as she packed up the first aid kits.
"Yeah Kai... We are capable of doing such things. Don't underestimate us..." Mariam said irritated at Kai.
"Enough..." Rei told them, "Look it's alright. We're safe. The two siblings are safe. No one got killed and no one is going to argue. Agree?"
No one spoke after him, Mariah stood up and left the room and into the kitchen. "Crusher, Monica? Would you like something?"
"Yes... Food for my sister." Crusher said quietly. "I apologize for all of this..."his voice trailed away.
"No it's ok... You had no choice." Mariam said as she gave a first aid kit to Monica. "You look a little pale honey..." she said at Monica." Don't worry, Mariah is a great cook and you're going to really feel full after you take a taste of Rei and Mariah's dessert mania..."
"Oh damn... " Rei said as he stood up, "I'll help her by the way. You two patch them up..." then he entered the kitchen.
"Alright..." Hilary said as she sat beside Kai. "That was..ummm...what happened exactly?"she asked.
"Crusher attacked them, Monica was held hostage and if Crusher didn't attack our friends, Monica dies... and yeah, that's the lay down..." Kai groaned.
"I see... And you?"
"We got her just in time. Hard to think they were actually going this far just to get what they want." Kai said to her. "Enough about this... How was your day at the office?"
"The usual... Nothing much to say. You should rest." She said to her, "You must have a long day..."
"You kidding me? I've been doing paperwork ever since that slip up at the mission. Tyson's been doing field work. Tala got stuck reviewing his SOP, Hiro's been putting him through hell...
"I'm surprise any of you are still hanging on..."
Kai smiled, "Not gonna quit Hilary..." he said to her.
"I was just hoping..." she smiled; Kai shook his head at her, "Great Work Kai..."
Tala came into the living room and collapse onto the open chair, "One more of Hiro's demanding SOPs and I am gonna get personal...Lucky Tyson's there..."
"Tyson?" Hilary asked
"So I can bully him around as much as his brother bullies me!" Tala moaned as he laid an arm on his head. "Julia...where are you-"
Then the front door burst open, Julia came in...
"Oh my God..."Hilary gasped. "Julia!"
Julia came in gasping and looking wet. Her face was pale and her clothes have been wrinkled everywhere. Her hair was messed up and her leg was bleeding. She saw her housemates and she quickly went inside and walked ahead.
Tala had stood up, "Julia... Oh God..."he said worriedly and went to her. "You're hurt...Julia..." he took her gently then—
"Stay away from me for awhile..." she said coldlyas she push him away, then Tala glared at her.
"The hell I am going to leave you with your condition..." he said forcefully.
"Why? You're good at it? Why stop now?" then she run upstairs and slammed the door right in his face when he caught up to her.
"JULIA!" Tala pounded on the door, "Open this door!"
"Go Away!" she screamed, then Tala's heart sunk when he heard her cry right behind the door. "Please..."
"Julia... Please let me in..." he said as he palmed the door. "Please...I can't leave you like this. I want to talk and we haven't talked for days."
She didn't answer...
"I think it's better to leave her for awhile, Tala" Max said as he passed him. "It will do no good at all..."
Tala hesitated staring at the door, "I need her badly..."
"And she needs time to pull herself from all of this..." Max answered, "Come on... She'll come down to dinner when she's ready..."
"She's hurt..." Tala whispered, "She's hurt because of me... I was able to save Crusher's sister but I wasn't there when she got injured and I have no idea what happened to her."
"She's hurt and she wants time... Give her that, man" Max said as he took Tala away from the door, "You need some rest Tala..."
"I won't...Until I know she's alright..."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Tala had been staring at the door for hours now. He can hear movements inside but she never came out. He came to her door for hours hoping she would eat something...at least drink something. He didn't dare barge in, he know it will only push them apart.
Then as if his prayers were heard, the door unlocked and opened. Julia came into view, wearing a blue nightgown. She was getting ready to sleep. Her wounded leg had been patched up and her face never left the color of pale white. When she saw him, she froze...
"Ummm... uhhh..." Tala mumbled as he look away, he laid a hand on his neck and he gently rubbed the strained area.
She stared at him unsure, and then she open the door wide and went back inside the room. Tala hesitated and slowly he went as she just laid herself on the bed.
"ummm...Thank you..." Tala whispered and cautiously, he sat on the edge of the bed, careful to leave the space she wanted.
"Are you hungry?" he blurted out suddenly realizing she hadn't eaten.
She looked at him, and then to their surprise her stomach growled loudly. "Ooops..." then she smiled slightly, Tala smiled and nodded his head.
"I'll get you something to eat..." he said then he stood up and went outside. He returned after a few minutes and laid the tray full of tonight's dinner. He even brought a thermos of hot Chocolate, her favorite. He even brought some mini-marshmallows to go with it. Julia smiled completely at his small deed.
"Here, I didn't know what you would like so I brought all the main courses there is...Here" he said as he laid the tray beside her. Julia sat up and Tala helped her place the tray on her lap. "Tell me if you want a second helping..."
"Thank you..." she whispered as she picked up the fork and knife. Tala then sat back at the edge of the bed and turned to look away. She wanted a private time at her food. They both sat there in silence, he can her fork clanging softly at the plater and her sipping of her chocolate. Then once she was finish she pushed the tray away...
"Do you want more?" he asked as he took the tray in his hand. She shook her head at him. "Desserts?"
"What did they cook?" she asked silently.
"Mariah made some cream pies..." he answered. Then she thought for awhile. "I'll get you some..." he said not waiting for her answer. Then he went out again...only to return with a small plate filed with two slices of the pie. He gave it to her and handed a fork. "It's really good... Mariah put her all into it..."
"Thanks..."
That was all she could say to him, then she ate in silence again. He refilled her mug of the Hot Chocolate and sprinkled a few mallows in it and gave it to her. She moaned with satisfaction of the combination of the sweets...
"I'm gonna get fat if I keep eating like this..." she said in a small voice.
"You won't..." he answered as he sat back at the edge. "Otherwise I have to get fat myself to keep up with you..." he said quietly.
Julia sighed and finished her pies; she drained her mug and gave it to Tala. She thanked him again and watched him come and go from the room. He kept the thermos beside her side so if ever she wanted another she can help herself.
"Is...is it okay?" he asked finally as he looked at her
"Okay for what?"
"For us to talk? I mean... I just wanted to clear up the tension inside the both of us..."
Julia look at her with small eyes, then she sighed. "I ran into Brooklyn tonight."
"Shit..." Tala hissed, "God, I'm an idiot! I should have—I shoukd have neen there! I should have gotten you from work! You could have—I'm shut a failure!" Tala cried out as he punched the hard wall. "I'm so sorry...You wouldn't have gotten injured if I was—"
"I didn't got injured because of him... I got injured because I panic and tripped. He didn't do anything...He just wanted to thank me then he took me home here, I couldn't manage to walk home."
Tala didn't know how to react, but he knew he should have been there. He flopped himself on the chair by the window and buried his face in his hands. "I should have been there... I should have been the one to take you home. I was too busy doing SOPs for Hiro that I forgot about you." He whispered, "But no...I can't think about that...." he said to himself, he lifted his head and saw Julia fingering the mug of chocolate.
"Look, about the other day. When you save him..."
"I'm sorry about that... I just need you two to stop." She answered immediately. "I couldn't bare either one of you two die in front of me..."
Tala swallowed hard, "So you care about him?"
Julia stared at her mug, "He took care of me when you were under the coma. I owe him that. But after knowing him, I wasn't so sure anymore. And to be honest, I don't even know you too..."
Tala stared hard, "I thought you wanted him dead..."
"I did...but seeing how much he was willing to give up his work as a BEGA for me. He was willing to change..."
"And you think ThatI'm not?"
"You are not going to..." Julia said to him firmly. "You won't be able to quit your job..."
"Because you know I can't... I wanted—"
"How about what I wanted? Have you ever consider that I'm actually a part of your life now? Or did you forget?"
"Look, Julia—"
"No... Look at me Tala. I appreciate everything you have been giving me but do you think I wanted you to risk your neck just for me?"
"I am willing to do that! I want to do that! Do you think what I'm doing is just for my sake?" Tala explained, "I want you safe! Can't you understand that?"
"And can't you understand that I don't want you to get yourself killed? Do you think it was fun seeing you lie on that bed? I don't want that again! If only I can tell you to stop your job, I can but I would only be jeopardizing everyone we love!"
"Exactly! An yet you want me to quit!"
"Because I hate the thought that I WOULD LOSE YOU AGAIN!" she partially screamed at him. Tala breathed deeply and tried to remain calm. Julia relaxed and tried to take a few chocolate in her system. "Do you want to lose me as well?" she asked
"No! Don't you ever say that!" Tala said panicking at her words, "Never in my life have I ever thought of that!"
"Then you might have to get use to that thought..." Julia mumbled
"What do you mean?" Tala stared at her, "You're not—"
"I might..." she said flatly, "Hilary might accepted Kai for what he is, but I'm different from her."
"can't you trust me enough that I am capable of protecting you"
"And can't YOU trust me for keeping all of this a secret from me?" she retorted.
Tala bit his lips, "That's different! Listen to me, I wanted nothing but your safety. This is another reason why I'm doing it! Can you please justallow me to do what's best for us and for our friends?"
"And can't you just stop saying that?" Julia yelled at him, "I hate you for doing this! I hate that I have to spent days of worrying about you and where you would be when I need you the most! I hate that I have to spend days of being alone in this room and waking up to see the empty spot of your bed! I hate that I have to face the day without you by my side! I hate that you are not only away from me...but you're gone! GONE!" she said in a fast manner, as her tears began again...
Tala can only stare and without warning, pounced on the bed like a wolf, joining her in bed and took her in his arms. Her mug had flown down the bed, lucky it was empty. She tried to push him away by hitting every part of his body with her hands, but he did not move away. She gave up and ended up crying on him.
"I hate that you would never hold me in your arms ever again..." she whispered for the last time, then collapsed crying in his chest. Tala tried to calm her down by running slow circles around her back, trying to smooth out the pain that tried to burst her into tears. He rock his body gently hoping that the movement would hasten her calm, and it did... He had never done this before, not since the day he had rescue her from Brooklyn. Gently, he pulled her closer and buried his face in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent she always wore.
"I Love you..." he whispered and that was all he can say right now.
He didn't know how long they stood in that position, but he wasn't going to release her till she calm down completely so they could 'talk' again. He didn't understand why she was acting this way... but he knew he needs to take time with her for now.
"Why are you thinking that I would leave you?" he asked quietly after a few minutes. When she didn't answer, he assumed her asleep. So he gently placed her on the bed, but to his surprise her eyes where open and was still unclear. He sighed and stood up from the bed, "I'll wash a little..." he told her and he did what he had to do.
When he was ready for bed, wearing nothing but a loose boxer shorts and a undershirt he returned to her side, she hadn't move that much but her eyes were looking away. He settled in, and took her back in his arms... she didn't refuse but something wasn't right... like a huge wall was between them.
"What are you thinking exactly? Tell me... Something is bothering you..." he said in a calming voice.
She didn't answer, he gently reach out and caress her face. Wiping the tears that were still on it, "Please tell me..."
"Shouldn't you be with her?" she asked as tears sprang back.
Tala stared at her confusedly, "Her?" he asked back as he prompt himself on one elbow and lean on her. Wiping the newly shed tears...
"Your wife..." she said her voice shaking.
"My Wife? I am with her..." he said smoothly as he leaned and planted a kiss on her forehead, "She's right here..."
"No!" she said pushing him off, "Not me... Your wife... Your real wife..."
"You will be when we get married..." Tala said leaning back on her.
"No! Don't play dumb! You're married to someone else!" she said as she turn away, the tremble in her voice wasn't helping her speak.
"I have no wife! What are you talking about?" Tala asked trying to turn her face back to him, "I'm not married!"
"Liar!" she cried, "She was on your ID! Harley!"
Tala stared then slowly his face contorted into a smile, "That was what's bothering you? Julia... I am married, married to you at least. I made a codename of your name to be exact, just like I did mine..."
"Harley?"
"Yeah...Harley was the first name that popped in my head when I was filling out that ID form. You reminded me so much of that clown in the Batman series. So I thought it would suit you for the name..." he explained, "Was that why you didn't want to talk at all?"
"You're lying..."
"I'm not...I promise! Trust me... if you still do..." he said as he pulled her back in his arms. He wasn't gonna let go... never to be exact.
"Codenames? And why Married? We're only engaged! What if it never really happened on the marriage part?"
Tala then stared at her hard, "What do you mean? You're not having second thoughts are you?"
Julia bit her lips and didn't answer. Tala's gazed fell and he never had thought that she was going to back out on this.
"As I said before, if you're not ready to take this, I won't force you." Tala mumbled weakly. "If you think all this dangerous stuff is affecting it, I won't put you in danger because I am going to protect you. But if you think this would be the best... I have nothing against you. I'm willing to give you space, but what I'm not willing to give up is my love to you."
Julia stared at him...
"I love you endlessly... I will give you freedom. But I am not going to surrender you." He said firmly, "Now tell me... do you want me to back off?"
She didn't answer
"Do you want me to give you time?" he asked trying desperately to get her answer. And yet she didn't answer...
"I'm sorry but—I have to stop this. I can't live like this if I'm going to marry you" she finally answered...
Tala sighed deeply, but Julia heard the ear-splitting shudder that escaped from his chest. Then he pulled away from her...
"I love you...and will always do..." he said as he stood up from bed. He took the blanket and tucked her in. He laid a kiss on her forehead then he went to change into something he prefer when he goes out.
"I'm sorry..." Julia said as she sat up and watch Tala pulled a plain shirt and his pants. "Tala..."
"I'm serious, Julia... If you think my work is going to ruin this relationship, that's why you're having second thought—I'm going to give you time. But I'm going to prove myself again, so I can tell you that I'm man worth it that you can be proud of. I'm going out..." Tala said as he took his keys and hurtfully turn away.
"No!" Julia said, "Don't—"
Then it was too late, he went out the room. Closing the door gently. He knew he had ruin the relationship he tried so hard to maintain, and all because of this war he had to give up everything he tried to keep for at least himself. He hurried away and saw Tyson on the couch.
"Tala?"
"I'm sleeping at the BBA... tonight" he said plainly and he hurried away. He practically run towards his car and wretch the door open. He got in, turned the ignition and roughly steered the wheel till he was out of the Mansion' property. He hurled his car down the road, ignoring all traffic signs and people crossing his path. Then he hollowly laughed to himself...
"Of course...who would want to marry a killer..." he said to himself as two tears escape his eyes.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
A/N: Oh yeah! Read and Review people!