Author's note:
College preparation and a bad run in with the parents are causing my slow updates .That and they keep being weird,checking on my computer time .I also have to see a doctor about a sprained ankle and getting teeth removed . . . this is what happens when you don't see a dentist in like five years :( .I've been having ear aches,tooth aches and headaches all over .So,gonna get this taken care of .After this ,one more chapter :) and then Shadowplay will be over . . .alas,it had a good run,but that's it . Also,I will have at least one for 'Sargasso Blues' by September .
Fear
Falco was still traumatized as he stood over the sink of the motel room he was staying in .He had gone to the hospital immediately after his run in with Leon and nearly passed out in the emergency room .
And as he looked into the mirror,hands tracing his neck and arms and torso where the bandages remained,Falco couldn't help but think he was lucky,luckier than he should have been .He could only guess that most of Leon's targets didn't have feathers and he had let him get away by mere chance .
Still though,Falco was afraid to go outside,especially at night .Not when Leon Powalski of all people was hunting him .The mere thought of him made his heart pound and made him paranoid enough to check the windows and doors and watch the shadows for anything suspicious .
Why?
Because he was one of the only people who witnessed Leon's rather ability to become nearly invisible and lived to tell the tale .He remembered once,seeing a fox man drop down in the middle of an alleyway out of no where,blood spilling from his neck .And after the deed was done,Leon made himself known,flashed a smirk,before vanishing once more .
Falco lost sleep for nearly a week and only when he was so tired he literally dropped down in the middle of the briefing room ,did he sleep .
"Damnit! Pull yourself together,man",Falco muttered to himself .
And it was easier said than done .
Falco had never liked killing,he hated it,especially during the war .It changed him,scared him and though Falco already had no faith in people as it is,he had now begun to realize that there was no higher being looking out for anything; they were probably amused or maybe people really did just evolve and . . .
Falco heard his communicator beeping in the distance .But instead of answering,he looked at it and let it beep until it stopped .It had been forever since he had communicated with anyone other than Katt Monroe and if it wasn't her,he didn 't want to answer
But what if it was him?
Falco leaned off of the sink,took a step and stopped himself .If Fox wanted to see him,he would've come for him already ,as they were both on Papetoon,both in Midra and surely they would've run into each other so . . .
"Oh fuck",Falco murmured to himself .
'If Powalski was here,that meant the rest of Star Wolf could be here too .! What if they got to him already?'
Falco was panicked again .There was only one way to know,one way to find out .Falco had to go out there again .He had to face the monster .
He had to face Leon Powalski again .
Falco felt his heart race at the thought,but he knew what he had to do .After all,it was his fault that Fox left in the first place .
Falco took a deep breath,clenched his fists,rubbed his eyes .A hand reached up to touch the silver cross that dangled around his neck,one that his mother gave him .A little know fact about Falco Lombardi was that his mother and her family lived on a human colony on Eden Prime,before they had to evacuate * (1) .As a result,his mother was a devout to an earth religion and Falco's near atheism is one of the reasons that he doesn't associate with her side of the family .Falco kissed the silver cross,before he removed it from his neck .
"If there is some kinda god out there that actually gives,please tell him that I'm sorry for everything .And let him know that I care",Falco said so soft that he barely heard it himself .
"Even if you don't love me anymore,I still love you ,James McCloud . . .Jr .I'm sorry for everything . . .really I am .I'm gonna fix this once and for all .I'm comin' to get ya'",he said,tears falling from his eyes .
"I'm gonna find you,James .I'm gonna find you even if it's the last thing I do"Falco said .
Falco took the rosary,wrapped it around his hands and clasped them together .He swallowed,closed his eyes .
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heavens and earths *(2); and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried . He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead . He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead . I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting . Amen
Falco continued his prayer ,repeated it over and over,and by the time he stopped,his knees were aching ,his shoulders burned and his neck was stiff .He slowly stood up,rolled his neck,and put the rosary back on and buried it under his shirt,in his feathers .
"And God,if you reject me for who I am,for loving somebody,then I don't know what to say to you ",Falco murmured .He paused a moment as if waiting for something,a sign maybe .
Nothing happened .
He chuckled,dusted off his knees and grabbed his blaster off of the back of the toilet .
"But I don't have the authority to ask that,do I?",he said,eyes on his blaster .
"I'm already gonna burn in hell",he said .
He checked his ammunition,re holstered the gun and walked off .
It had been a long time since Fox had seen anyone at all,nearly two weeks .,two weeks without Wolf's love .Just every once in a while,food and water somehow ended up in the fridge and his vitamins and whatever the hell else Wolf was feeding him was always ready .
But there was no contact .
Fox though,was use to this,as he had been known to shut himself off from the world occasionally,been doing it since early child hood .
But now,like this,in his current state,it was like living hell . . .no he's had worse,at least he though he did,but he wasn't sure .
Fox had already clawed at the walls in his madness,chewed the magnetic cuffs to the point his teeth were very sore .This only made the rest of his body aches worse .The only thing that kept his sanity was Wolf's promise to come back for him .
Maybe he doesn't love me anymore
He sniffled,felt a lump in his throat .
Maybe he never did .
Sighing,Fox resigned to playing video games,though with shaking hands,he could hardly do anything .Eventually,he threw the joystick down in a fit of anger and ran out into the halls .
Fox walked in circles ,through the horror show that was the seventh floor .By now,he was trying to smoke a stale cigarette from a pack that he found on the mattress of a suite .He didn't go in but he sat there in an abandoned chair,watching,fantasizing .
There was a bed where he could see that a couple was in because of the two imprints that were still in the mattress,dead dried rose petals on the floor .There were even two pairs of shoes abandoned there .
They were men's shoes .
There was also a boarded up and vandalized (ironically,with hearts)windows,holes in the walls,cobwebs everywhere and an empty wine bottle by the bed .The holovision was gone,probably stolen and there was broken glass everywhere .
Fox smiled serene,,dropped the cigarettes and empty lighter,and wandered into the room .He fell on the soft bed with scorched sheets and scratched pillows .In his mind,he could see him by his side,he could see himself with Wolf O'Donnell as it should be .
He could even still smell the scents on it ,old as if months old and was very faint .Normally,sheets and things were regularly de-scented as Lylatians of certain species often couldn't take other's scents .
A fox and a wolf .
Not just any wolf ,but Wolf O'Donnell .
Fox buried his face into the sheets and sniffed hard .
The fox was similar to him ,but wasn't him,so the same species?
Suddenly,Fox's stomach turned violently and he rolled off of the bed and scrambled off to find a bathroom .
"You've got Lima Syndrome,that's all .Happens to the best of us",Panther said .
"Oh yeah? Ever happened to you?",Wolf asked .Panther shook his head .
"No .I always kill my captives before it happens",he answered .
"And you say I'm cold blooded?",Leon asked,raising a brow .
"I think it's because I'm afraid that I will start to care for them .So,I take care of it early",Panther answered .
"Me too,but it's hard .I mean,look who it is?",Wolf said .
The three of them were making their way down the streets of Midra on their way back to Angel house .It was a particularly cold night,so the three of them were nearly completely covered by their black cloaks .
"And that's why I hired you of all people",Leon said .Panther nodded,but Wolf felt uneasy .
"So,is he really that bad off?",Panther asked .
"It would seem,yes .No matters though .We've been giving him things to ease the withdrawal symptoms,speed up detox .It was only amatter of time before someone came looking for him and it was Mr .Lombardi as predicted .Peppy lost his nerve when James dies and his frog friend Slippy is a bitch .He'd shake at the very scent of us coming"Leon said .Panther noted that Wolf was suspiciously quiet .
"So who's idea was it not to put the animal down? He is your rival,why not take him down?",Panther asked .
"Mine .There's no honor in kickin' em while he's down .You only do tha to enemies .He ain't much a threat,never was,never will be",Wolf said .
Panther and Leon gave each other knowing looks .
"You sure this has nothing to do with James McCloud? I heard you use to fly with him",Panther said .Wolf stopped in his tracks and spun to face Panther .
"Your job is to shoot or kill whoever tries to stop us from getting away .That's it .Do I make myself clear?",Wolf ground out .Leon was on gaurd ,but Panther was un phased .
"My apologies .Didn't know it was such a touchy subject",Panther said,his face impassive .Wolf glared at him and walked ahead .
"He and James were . . .close",Leon said .
"You mean they were lovers",Panther said .
"What makes you think that?",Leon said .
"I'm grieving a lover as well .I know how it feels to lose someone so close",Panther said .
"I've lost so many people that it feels numb to me now .At least,I can protect the ones still around .You do the same,Panther",Leon said .
Panther nodded .
"But seriously,how did you figure it out?",Leon said .
"I like to know everything about anyone who could potentially be a threat,you and O'Donelly are no exception",Panther said .Leon frowned .
"You really think I'd harm you?",Leon said,walking closer to Panther .
"Of course not .It's just Wolf . . .he's young,ambitious,been stepped on,I can clearly tell .There's a lot of anger in him .Can be very dangerous .I respect him though,because I can see that he's determined to make a man of himself,be somebody .I think we'll all be seeing his name in history",Panther said .
"You have an amazing judge of character you know .How would you like a spot on Star Wolf? Oikonny and Dengar show up when they want to,and three's better than two anytime",Leon said .
"Agreed,especially in bed",Panther answered .Leon smirked,shook his head .
"Yes,you're definitely still the same Panther you've always been",Leon said .
"Old habits",Panther answered .shrugging his shoulders .
"So,about the offer?",Leon said .
":How would O'Donnell feel about it?",Panther asked .
"He'll come around .He knows Leon knows best",he said .
"Sounds good,but I have to finish this last job",Panther said .Leon nodded his head and stopped .
"Please Panther,if you need help-"
"No!",Panther said,startling Leon .
"I mean I . . .I have to do this alone .Please understand",Panther said .Leon sighed and faced Panther .
"Alright .I can't stop you .I wish you the best",Leon said .
"Good .And I will except your offer",Panther said .
"Look forward to working with you .Do try to survive long enough to meet up after this mess,Panther",Leon said .
"I can assure you Commander . . .Powalski ,won't be a problem",Panther said .
"Fine .Then welcome to team Star Wolf",Leon said,extending a hand .Panther smiled and took it .
"I'm honored to be a part of this"Panther said .
"I am honored to have you and Wolf will be too",Leon said .He glanced up,caught sight of Wolf in the crowd and continued on his way .
"I hope so",Panther said .
Just as he took a step forward,Panther was bumped so hard he nearly fell over .Angrily,he spun around and grabbed the man ,only to catch his cloak .For a breath moment,he saw that he was heavily armed and headed towards Hell's Den .The masked man pulled his gun on Panther who had no time to react .
A shot rang out and he dropped to the ground .Wolf re holstered his blaster and Leon grabbed a still petrified Panther .There were screams ,the crowd dispersed and Wolf, Leon and Panther blended right in .
"Okay,is anybody hurt?",Wolf said .
"I'm alright,just shaken",Panther said .
"Me too .But here's the problem .That was a Venomian Remnant,and he was fully armed,even had the logo .Andross is gone,so where is he getting his weaponry,and why come to Papetoon?There's nothing here",Leon said .Wolf though stroked his chin,his brow furrowed,thinking .
"Hey Leon?",Wolf said .
"Yeah?",he said .
"Andrew Oikonny,where is he?",Wolf asked .
"You mean sense we ditched him and Dengar at Bolse?",Leon asked .
"Yeah,where's the last place they were spotted?",Wolf asked .
"I admit that I haven't checked in over a week,but last I knew it was Titania .I'll go now th-"
"No .No one goes anywhere tonight .It's too hot out there after what just happened",Wolf said .
"I can be quick and discrete",Leon said .
"Please Leon,don't go",Panther said .Leon huffed,crossed his arms .
"Fine,if it makes you two feel better,I'll stay in a few days .But we need to find out what's going on",Leo said .
"I can go .Nobody knows that I'm affiliated with Star Wolf,nobody would be suspicious of me",Panther said .
"Panther,what did I tell you about coming out alive?",Leon said .
"I'm alright .My fur's the color of darkness itself,nobody can spot me at night .I'll go out there and I'll find out what's going on .I can also check your ship while I'm at it",Panther said .
"Alright,Caruso .Just be quick about it .The Cornerian army's probably gonna be on our asses any day now,thanks to that dipshit exposing Midra as a hideout .While you're at it,set the launch systems on all of our ships to standby, so we can get out of here as soon as we need it",Wolf said .
"Yes sir .I'll be back soon .I'd appreciate it if you have a nice glass of milk waiting for me,if that's not too much trouble",Panther said .
"Hey,why not?",Wolf said,shrugging it off .
Panther left out of the room,leaving Leon and Wolf alone .After a moment of silence,Leon spoke .
"Those cuts I got a while back were from a knife fight with Falco Lombardi",Leon said .
"Damnit",Wolf cursed .
"How well is he?",Leon asked .
"Well enough . . .I hadn't checked in almost a week .I just know he's been eating the food and not the rats",Wolf said .
"Well,you better go check on the silly fox or he'll expire",Leon said .
"Since when did you care?",Wolf asked .
"Since you started to .You lost James already,do you need to lose him again?",Leon said .
"Fox ain't nothin' like James .That much I can tell you",Wolf said .
"Perhaps,but we don't know and won't find out unless he's still alive . . .we owe his father that much",Leon said .Wolf stood up from the cracked wall he leaned against and walked over to Leon .He pulled the lizard into a hug and muzzled his cheek .
"What are you doing?This is no time to act like a puppy",Leon said .
"I don't know what's gonna happen to us Leon and I don't have an exit plan so I'm scared .I want to thank you for everything",he said .Leon
"I . . .well . . .alright,then I suppose it's appropriate",Leon said and hugged Wolf back .Leon was getting use to the feeling of warm fur ,that irresistable scent ,when Wolf pulled away .
"Alright,I feel better .Let's never speak of this",Wolf said .
Leon frowned slightly,but Wolf didn't notice under dim lights .
"Yes,let's .It wouldn't be a good look to see that cut throats like us like to cuddle .Now ,let's get up stairs",Leon said .
As soon as Wolf opened the door,Fox sat up in his bed .Wolf shut the door behind him and Fox looked at him apprehensively .Half of Fox wanted to run and jump in his arms,the other half wanted to beat him within and inch of his life .
"I told you I'd come back",Wolf said .
"It's been too long",Fox said .
Wolf walked across the room,eying Fox cautiously .
"I know",Wolf said .
Wolf sat down on the bed next to Fox,who trembled ever so slightly .He pressed a hand against damp fur .
"How do you feel?",Wolf asked .
"Better than I have in a while .I just feel so weak .But I can sleep better now",Fox moaned .
"It's alright .You'll be getter better by the day ",Wolf said .
"I know it's just . . .it's just that don't want this to end",Fox said,his face in Wolf's shoulder .Wolf wanted to speak,but he stopped himself .Instead,he wrapped his arms around Fox,held him until he fell asleep .He lay him down in the bed and notice dying rose petals by the pillow .and a scorched,silk sheet that smelled of age and dust .
Wolf wondered where he got it from,but decided to leave it for now .He slid off his coat,took off his shoes and curled up behind Fox,wrapping his arms around his waist .
Leon felt a lump in his throat and discretely slipped out of the room holding back tears of anger .
It would be so easy,so easy . . .
Leon caressed the blade of his knife,but stopped .
But then Wolf might follow him...he almost followed James to the other side himself .
Leon decided against it,putting his weapon away .
1) Eden Prime was a planet heavily colonized by humans in mass effect .Then all hell broke lose .
2)The Apostle's Creed .I did not use the whole prayer as I am on a time limit .I may revise this
