A/N: I have a few notes. But review replies are first!
Azalia Fallen: There's more coming up about her "condition" in future chapters :)
Sweetdisposition19: I'm not too familiar with True Blood, but you have a point. Cept Cassie's a bit more noob-ish with her telepathy.
corbsxx: The world may never know... Just like the big question of how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop. (Seriously, how many does it take? Lol.)
Thanks to the readers, reviewers, subscribers, and favorite-ers. Lol. So in this chapter, I hid an easter egg or two. One of which was the clock. 108 is a Lost thing. (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42. Add em and you get 108. Execute!) I also had two little hints that Chris and Bradley could've been a pairing at one point. (I'm odd. I like Wade/Bradley stories. ^^) Mainly I got my point across that I think Wade would flirt with anything that had two legs. Lawl. Next chapter will have a very short mission, more mind conversations, a flustered Chris, and awkwardness. Hope you enjoy and please review!
Chapter 7: Russia and a Dream
The rest of the week became normal routine for Cassie. Wake up around seven, grab something to eat, go to training with the team for a few hours, then take a shower and relax the rest of the day either in the rec room or her room. (Depending on who was in the rec room.) Cassie even got used to Wade's snarky comments and nicknames.
She grew closer with most of the team members; except for Victor, of course. Even Zero showed an act of kindness. (But it was just once.)
At the end of the week, after training and a shower; she was sitting on the sofa next to John in the rec room when Stryker came in. "Men…and woman, pack your things. We head out tonight." He looked at Bradley and said, "Have the plane prepped and ready in ten." With that, Stryker left the room.
Cassie noticed someone of the others, like Chris and Fred, left the room. Victor and Zero hadn't even been there which left her with John and Wade.
"Looks like a fine day for flying," Wade said while stretching and standing up.
"Where we headed?" Cassie asked.
John looked at her with slight concern. "Didn't they tell ya? We're relocatin'."
She scrunched up her eyebrows in confusion and asked, "Where?"
"Russia," he told her.
Cassie's jaw dropped. "Wade! You said-"
"Sorry, I know." He waved his hands around. "Stryker didn't want you to know. Said you were important for the team." Wade just smirked. "You're the shiny trophy."
She rolled her eyes and stormed out of the room. 'It's ridiculous. I was lied to. For what? Just to be apart of some stupid team with other mutants?' Cassie slammed her room door shut and peered around. All her things stayed in her suitcase, so she was pretty much packed. 'But to go where? Halfway across the globe?' She sat roughly on the end of the bed and put her head in her hands. 'I can't go.' The anger welled in her as she heard a knock at the door. "Come in," she said angrily.
Cassie didn't bother looking up; she knew who it was. Her anger broke down her barrier and she heard their thoughts.
"I'm sorry," he said.
With a small smirk, Cassie asked, "What happened to Washington, Wade?"
"We go after Russia."
How much more sorry can I be?
She looked up at him and noticed her suitcase that resided on the desk was hovering. "Great." The suitcase dropped carefully.
"That happen a lot when you're angry?"
Remind yourself not to get her fired up ever again…
Laughing, Cassie nodded. 'I thought the same about him and his swords when I met him. Ironic…'
He turned and walked out the door. "We fly in five. Come down to my room once you're ready," Wade called.
Cassie took a deep breath as she got up and packed the few things she had out of her bag. She put her jacket on and picked up the suitcase before hurrying down the hall to Wade and Chris' room.
Wade was gone, but Chris was tossing things into a black duffel bag quickly. He looked up and said, "Hey Cassie." She waved and he asked, "Ready to fly?"
Exhaling deeply, she admitted, "Not really."
Chris zipped the bag and swung it over his shoulder. "I'll be extra careful then," he said as he walked past her.
She was shocked. "You're a pilot?" Cassie followed him out the door and towards a large black plane on a runway.
He tossed his bag on top of a few others and said, "Kinda of. My ability is handy for it though."
"Cool." She put her suitcase on the pile and walked with him to a small set of steps. Chris motioned for her to go first and she did. Cassie saw the other team members sitting with harnesses on. She sat down in an empty seat near the front and Chris sat beside her. Cassie noticed Wade was the only person missing. Even Stryker was on the plane.
As she tried to figure out the seat belt like harness, she could hear Wade say, "Sorry I'm late. Traffic was bad."
Someone made a 'tch' sound and someone else groaned.
"They just go over your arms and buckle here," Chris explained when he noticed Cassie was struggling with the harness.
Shyly, she thanked him. Stryker then cleared his throat and said, "Take off Bradley."
Chris nodded and shut his eyes. There was the sound of the engines roaring, then a small bit of shaky movement.
The plane took off and Cassie leaned her head back. 'I'm leaving. Didn't even get to tell Ridley. Gosh, he'll be so mad.' "Excuse me, sir?" Cassie asked Stryker. "How long will this…ride last?"
"About an hour. The plane is state of the art. Plus, we have our excellent pilot." He glanced at Chris. She turned to look at him, but he still seemed to be focusing on getting the plane in the air.
'Good time for a nap then.' Cassie leaned her head back again and shut her eyes.
---
It was around mid-flight when John nudged her awake. "Wilson wants ta talk to ya," he said.
Cassie opened a sleepy eye and looked at Wade. He was a seat down from Victor, who was next to Stryker. He pointed to his head. She got the hint and opened up her mind.
If you can read minds, can you communicate like that?
She shook her head ad shrugged as she looked at him.
That kinda sucks. I'll do the talking then. You and Chris all kissy kissy yet?
Cassie sent Wade a glare. 'I wish I could respond. Maybe Stryker could explain that…'
I'll take that as a no. That boy is too shy for his own good. Want me to rough 'im up a bit?
She widened her eyes at him and shook her head quickly. 'I'm not even sure I like him like that.'
Maybe he needs some practice. I could help him with that too…
Wade had an ever-present smirk on his face as she looked at him with shock.
I was kidding. Though, I could find someone to help him.
He wiggled his eyebrows at her and Cassie just rolled her eyes.
Or maybe you need someone to help you…
Wade winked and she proceeded to narrow her eyes. 'This conversation is over.' Cassie built her mental block again and looked at Chris.
"Have a nice nap?" he asked when he noticed Cassie looking at him.
"Yeah." She rubbed the side of her face and asked, "How much longer?"
He put two fingers to his head and clenched his eyes shut. "A few minutes actually." Chris looked to Stryker and said, "Sir, we're just about there."
Stryker nodded. "Good. Take 'er down Bradley."
Chris nodded and Cassie could feel the entire plane shift to the right slightly as it descended. 'I'll be happy to be off this plane.'
---
When the plane landed and Chris said it was okay to get out, Stryker said, "Your rooms have name plates. And don't try to switch." He sent Wade a glare before exiting the plane first.
Cold air rushed into the plane. "Brr," John shivered, "it's cold."
Cassie smiled as she undid the buckle on the harness and stood. "It's not that cold." He looked at her curiously before she turned and walked off the plane. Chris was behind her as she circled around back to get her suitcase.
"I'm kinda glad Stryker gave us new room arrangements," Chris said as he got his bag off the pile.
"Why?"
The two began towards the grey building. "Wade talks in his sleep some nights."
"I do?" Wade could be heard asking. Cassie looked over her shoulder and saw the swordsman running up to them. He put his arms around Chris and Cassie's shoulders. "This'll be so much fun guys!"
Cassie rolled her eyes and glanced over at Chris. He didn't look to happy either. 'Hopefully, I don't have to room with Mr. Mouthy.'
The team entered and found themselves in a long hallway like the previous base. "Huh… Looks familiar," Wade remarked.
She wandered down the hall ahead of the others. She passed two doors on both sides, and then noticed a door on the right with 'Cassie Anderson' on the door. "Found my room," Cassie announced. The others seemed to find their rooms. It was more spacious then the last by a little. Otherwise, it looked the same. A bed, dresser, desk and chair.
"I'm sad I don't have a roommate," Wade said as he wandered into her room.
She looked at him and sarcastically said, "Yes Wade, you can come in."
Wade smile. "Why thank you."
"We're neighbors," Chris said from the door cheerfully.
Cassie smiled as she tossed her suitcase on the desk. "Awesome. I guess you're on the other side, right Wade?"
He smiled. "Right between your two favorite people."
She smiled back and began pushing Wade out of the room. "Right now, my two favorite people should go unpack so I can get changed and go to bed."
Cassie went to shut the door, but Wade stopped it with one hand. "Need any help? Chris here makes a wonderful teddy bear if you forgot yours."
The look on Chris' face was almost funny, but Cassie just blushed a little and said, "No thank you. Put all suggestions into the box next to the door." With that, she shut the door. There was a lock on this one unlike the previous base. She turned the lock and walked over to the bed. 'Forget changing. I want sleep.' Cassie fell face first onto the pillow and shut her eyes tightly.
---
Cassie bolted up, panting and slightly sweated. She had an awful dream about Ridley being in some kind of danger. It scared her. 'I haven't had a nightmare since I was younger.' She wiped her forehead and hopped out of bed. The clock on the desk read '1:08'. Cassie thought about going back to sleep but the thought of having the dream again unnerved her.
She was only in black sweat pants and a grey tank top, but she wandered down the hallway into the first room she passed. It was a rec room identical to the old one.
The room was pitch black and she fumbled around, looking for a light switch. Cassie walked into something and said, "Damn it."
The lights suddenly went on and she saw she had bumped into Chris. "Sorry. I was trying to figure out the wiring and stuff of the room."
Cassie yawned and said, "It's fine."
"Why are you out of bed?" Chris asked as he turned and walked towards the television.
She followed him and sat on one of the couches. "It's silly, but I had this dream my brother was in danger."
Chris looked over his shoulder at her. "Really?"
"Yeah…"
"Maybe he is then. I mean, you can read minds. Any normal person wouldn't dwell on this and think it's just a dream."
She swallowed nervously. "That doesn't make me feel any better," Cassie choked out. 'If something happens, or happened, to Ridley… I don't know what I'd do.' She looked down at the floor and her bare feet.
"I was jus' makin' a point," Chris told her as he moved to the spot on the couch next to her. Cassie nodded and shivered. The cold crept over her and she left her gloves back in her room. "Are you cold? I could-"
She wrapped her arms around her waist as she shook her head. "I'm fine."
When she glanced at him, Chris had a knowing look on his face. "You're shivering. I can turn the heat on…"
"Won't work," Cassie told him, "unless you crank it to a sweltering temperature, that is." The cold sensation moved up her arms and towards her neck.
"Let me keep you warm then," Chris said quietly. She looked at him curiously and he nodded. "It's worth a try at least."
Cassie nodded and shrugged at the same time before inching closer to Chris. She leaned against him and he held her protectively. Cassie could feel the cold ease away from her neck instantly and lingered just above her elbows.
The two were silent for a few moments until he asked, "It working?"
She nodded. "A little."
"Good."
Cassie sat comfortably with Chris in the rec room silently. It was a bit weird since she heard his thoughts before about her but she ignored what she knew. Just like Wade said. Cassie let out a small sigh and felt her eyes become heavy. She tried to make herself stay awake, but lost the battle in minutes.
