Spy Down!
Yo bros and girl-bros! The last chapter before the giant explosion and everybody dies part! Nah, just joking. That would be terribly cliché and anti-climactic. Please enjoy the chapter. R&R.
Chapter 9.
As Spy recovered, he couldn't help but dwell on that bizarre dream. It had not appeared to him after that one time and there remained the strangest emotion deep down that this was something symbolic. The next match was now fast approaching and Spy was granted permission to finally leave his hospital bed and wander around again to bring strength back to his weak legs. The Engineer jokingly referred to him as "that newborn colt" when the thirty year old took his first steps for the first time in weeks. Spy enjoyed that comment and the laughter that followed. He had been shocked and touched at the amount of visitors he had received (some more than others, but it was okay) and the attention that was lavished on him (particularly Heavy, who made him food every day), also enjoying the company. The new scarf wound itself proudly around his neck for the whole day after Bryn's visit, not even taking it off for bed, despite Medic's scolding.
"Hey man, s'up?"
The typical greeting from Scout.
"Bonjour Scout." Spy greeted him with a nod and carried on walking around aimlessly in circles.
"What are ya doin'? I know Doc said that your legs needed to get all strong an' stuff, but I think he meant goin' for walks…y'know?" Pippin responded sceptically, jerking his bandaged hand over his shoulder as he added, "And there's someone here to see ya."
He winked and nudged Spy in the ribs lightly before clearing out to make room for Miss Pauling to come down the wooden steps to the outside world.
"I just thought I'd let you know that you're being transferred to Sawmill the day after tomorrow." she said as a way of saying hello and Spy nodded.
Out of all the visitors he had, she had been the most precious and exciting, although he wasn't quite sure why.
"Bonjour, Miss Pauling." he replied politely and made his way over.
"You're looking better, I see." she commented with a smile and Spy returned her happy expression.
"I am…trying." he managed, stunned by her pretty smile and Miss Pauling put a small hand on his suit.
"It takes time to recover from unipolar depression and anorexia, Mr Spy." Miss Pauling said seriously and Spy froze at her contact.
Despite rumours stating otherwise, Spy was NOT good in the presence of women. That Scout's mother…she had been beautiful and only his second girlfriend in his living years.
That had ended badly.
"Spy?"
Spy jumped, coming out of his unhappy thoughts to spot concern.
"I apologise, madam. I became lost in thought." he muttered sternly and she marvelled at his soft, heavily French-accented voice. So polite as well, even when he had been sick.
"Are you eating?" she asked abruptly and Spy took his time answering.
"I have been on a diet – a strict one – with Medic. We are taking it a day at a time."
"Oh…that's good." Miss Pauling sighed in relief and she fiddled with her purple hem of her skirt as they were silent once more.
The dust had settled today, completely different to how it would be tomorrow and the sky was once again a clear sapphire, bringing out heavy shadows behind rocks and crates. Nearby, Demoman hung up the team's mostly red laundry in the lovely, warm weather and his cheerful whistling travelled to the ears of the tall man and short woman standing together in the shade. There was not much to see in Hoodoo, but Spy decided to pluck up what little social courage he had.
"Would you…like to go for a walk with me, ma petite madam?"
Miss Pauling felt flattered to say the least.
"Why certainly, thank you for offering." she agreed pleasantly and the pair began strolling together across the golden red dust and brown rocks of Hoodoo. Soon, their laughter could be heard drifting on the wind - the Spy's warm chuckles and Miss Pauling's sweet giggles - and Demoman smiled at the nice sounds, pausing in the act of pegging Pip's white socks.
"That's the way, lad."
"My goodness, what happened then?" Miss Pauling stuttered over her words with humour and Spy snickered.
"And zen, the cake landed all over my 'ead!" You should have SEEN Oliver's face. 'E thought I was going to gut 'im!"
The couple laughed some more, almost collapsing when Spy let out a very undignified snort and covered his mouth with wide blue orbs showing his shock.
"Um…"
"Heeheehee!"
"I take it that you did not find that noise nearly as offensive as I did." Spy mumbled shyly through the material and Miss Pauling shook her raven head, starting to calm down.
"No…I found it rather sweet actually. Oh boy…heh." She wiped her chocolate eyes, not noticing the blush that spread across Spy's cheeks and he thanked the balaclava again.
"The Scout's mother did not think ze same way." he said as he started to lower his hands and clapped them back up again at the realisation of what just slipped out.
"Er…"
Miss Pauling slid her thick framed glasses back on her heart-shaped face and peered at him for a moment.
"If I may ask…what happened to her?"
Spy's hands fell to his sides as he stared at the dirt granules in shame.
"She…became tired of moi. I was not exciting enough for her like she first thought and another man, a fireman, caught her eye. She 'ad been intrigued by my secrecy at first...but it became annoying for her as I would 'ave to leave her suddenly and she wanted to be with moi. Also, my actual job was starting to make 'er uncomfortable. So, I was let down in the nicest way she could think of. Celine did not want to 'urt my feelings after all…she was a kind woman and should not 'ave to put up with a Spy who couldn't provide her with what she needed ze most - stability."
Miss Pauling couldn't help but reach over and cup his strong face in her palm and felt sorry.
"It still hurt you in the end." she stated firmly and Spy nodded, unconsciously leaning into her touch.
"Oui. But it was my fault. I should have tried 'arder."
"No, she should have given you another chance." the female across from him answered firmly and Spy's forlorn expression turned to her with those child-like eyes framed by thick, black lashes and tinged with blankness.
"I do not…understand."
Of course he didn't. Men like him never did as there were never enough like him. Miss Pauling grinned at her thoughts and brought her hand away to examine her navy painted nails.
"That's fine. You didn't have to tell me that."
"Oui…it was too much information." Spy concluded as he put his right hand to his nose and pinched the bridge between the forefinger and thumb. "But I wanted to."
And Miss Pauling could only stare with a crimson face as Spy cloaked and disappeared from her sight.
Dustin felt that something was out of place as soon as he pattered into the workshop. Yes, there was a mess of scrap metal in a corner and a pile of broken tools languishing by his wooden work desk, but that was normal. It was slightly dark down here as it was in the basement and spare hats hung on racks. The chair to his desk had been pulled back while he had been absent on break from his latest schemes and the stubby pencil that faithfully served his every blueprint drawing desire currently scratched away at white paper.
By itself.
Of course, if Dusty wasn't used to Spies, he would have fainted clean away by now.
"Spah, what ya doing?" he asked in a calm voice and it amused him greatly to see the pencil jump violently in mid-air as the RED Spy's cloak whooshed off seconds afterwards. Fancy that, the Engineer sneaking up on Spy.
A guilty expression played on Spy's face as he looked down at the suddenly fascinating tiled floor which covered itself with a layer of shavings, chips and dust. The RED Engineer smiled paternally and he strode over, his stocky legs working hard, to place a broad hand on a slim shoulder.
"I've known about your presence here fer YEARS, pardner." he continued and laughed at Spy's shocked expression. "Thought you woulda cottoned on by now, pal. Got me mighty curious as to what you're up ta though; helping me out with ma designs?"
Spy shook his head fiercely. He would never touch Dusty's equipment or designs.
Nobody did that – they liked living.
Sheepishly, he held up a piece of paper and Engineer marvelled at the drawing on it. It was a portrait of him.
"Well now, how'd ya like that? That's damn fine, pardner! Ya ever take a course or…?"
Felix shook his head once more.
"Non…"
"Well, that makes this drawing even better, doesn't it?"
Felix hunched in the chair, scrunching up his long legs to tuck them under his chin and frowned. Clearly, he didn't think so.
"I come in 'ere to work quietly…it is a place to think."
His hands shook.
Engineer pulled up another chair and sat opposite his new work partner, deciding not to broach the subject any further – for now.
"Sure is, son."
They scribbled and sketched away by the light of the silver desk lamp in companionable silence. The clock ticked the hours off, signalling the approaching storm.
Finally, action will be had in the next chapter! Hold on to your socks, boys and girls! It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Love Lily. XX
