Hey everyone, thanks for all the reviews! I'm really glad you all are liking the story. Another quick note, I know I have done the 'Ashley' three chapters, and then 'Chase' for three chapters. But I just want you guys to know that it won't always be like that, it's just like that for now, because it's the beginning, and I want to show different aspects on both of the families, and how the mission is going for both sides. Also, I have come to the conclusion that this is going to be a long story, and I am so excited! I have written chapters for later on, and, well...I wish I could just skip to those chapters, but alas...We all, including me, must wait.
Now on with the story!
CHASE
I stared down at my empty lunch tray. Adam, Bree and Leo were all conversing to each other at our lunch table. Even though it's just the four of us, I really didn't feel like being in a crowd. The mission drained me. It's been five days, and all I could think about was taking a giant sleeping pill, and going into hibernation for the rest of the month.
"I still can't believe that there are other bionics!" Leo whispered, flinging his spoon back into his pudding. Some landed on my shirt.
"Leo!" I shouted, reaching for a napkin, and swatting off Adam's offer to lick my shirt clean.
"Sorry- But I am so excited! Finally, new people to hang with instead of you prunes!" Bree gave him a smack on the arm, while I defended myself against Adam's finger trying to get to the pudding spot on my shoulder.
He was practically falling apart with excitement. The first time we met Jack's kids and came home to tell Leo and Tasha, Leo couldn't keep his mouth shut. He immediately demanded to meet them.
"I'm not just saying this because I want to protect the very nice antiques in his home," Davenport said, prying Leo, who had grabbed his arm in a death grip, off his arm. "You aren't going in there without bubble-wrap!"
It probably would be best if we just carried Leo around everywhere. While he's wrapped in bubble wrap. Just what I would need, Leo smashing some rare antique artifact, and have Ashley yell at me about me having a destructive family and never being able to replace what he broke. I'm actually very annoyed with her. I tried to do what Jack and Davenport said, being civil and putting our differences behind us. And I thought, with her being hurt and all, that maybe she would have learned her lesson. Maybe even listen. But no, it's either Ashley's way or no way. I angrily pushed my tray away.
"So," Leo interjected. "Does that mean that you guys are all related? Because if this is Big D's brother," He thought aloud, "Then they would both have the same last name. And so would his kids, right? Just like you guys." I shook my head.
"No Leo, just because we have the same last name doesn't mean that we're all related. I mean, us three aren't related," I said, gesturing to Adam and Bree. Leo's face fell. "And Jack's kids aren't related to him." I added, taking out my binder from my bag.
"Oh really now," Leo scoffed. "How do you know?" Leo was suddenly starting to get very annoying.
"Because there's the obvious fact that they all look nothing alike-"
"I haven't seen them yet!" He interrupted, raising a finger in the air. I slapped in down. "Hey! Does this make Jack my step uncle?" I left Bree and Adam to deal with this. I quickly stood up and said that I was getting my stuff ready for my next classes. I doubt they heard me, because Leo brought on a whole new batch of questions about the mission. I walked out of the cafeteria faster.
My feet were dragging me home by time I got back. I just felt like going back to my capsule, and going to sleep. I told Adam and the other's to go ahead of me after school, and said I'd be home soon. Soon clearly meant over an hour later. I was catching up on some extra work, since I had blown off school work for a while. Like I said, Richmond is killing me. And my chances of being multiple things at once.
As soon as I walked through the door, I knew my chance of having a nap was out of the question. Adam and Bree grabbed me by the arms and began to drag me towards the lab. Bree started nagging off my ear again.
"Why haven't you been answering your phone?" She demanded. "Adam, Leo and I have texted you a bunch of times saying to get your butt home!" I pulled my arm away from her. She was beginning to dig her nails in again, a sure sign that she's angry. I wasn't so successful with Adam.
"No, I was busy." I answered, allowing myself to be dragged. At least it was in the right direction. "What's going on?"
"Davenport has news about that guy we brought in," Adam said beside me. We entered the elevator, and Bree pushed the button. "And he wouldn't tell us anything until you got back. I've been dying here, waiting and you just take your own sweet time! You know that I don't do well when it comes to waiting!" He said impatiently and hauled me out of the elevator. And not to gently, might I add. "We got him Big D!" He shouted, and I winced from the close proximity.
"Chase! Where have you-!" I held up my hand, quickly demolishing any chance at letting him have a go at badgering me about being tardy. I noticed Leo over by Davenport's computer, typing away at something.
"Just get on with it, please. I'm tired and I still have school work." Dropping my bag on the ground, I took a seat by one of the lab tables, and laid my head in my arms. The room went silent for a moment. A moment.
"Wow." Adam broke the silence. "Ashley's crankiness is rubbing off on Chase." I rose from my place and glared at him.
"Please, Adam. Can you refrain from insulting me? Just for once?" I asked through my teeth. But in the back of my mind, I did realise that I was acting kind of...Ashley-ish.
"Why?" Adam asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "You never stop-"
"Alright you two," Donald spoke, interrupting Adam and probably breaking up a potential classic Chase/Adam feud. "That's enough. Now that everyone is here," He gave me a pointed look. "We can continue." Adam stuck his tongue out at me before turning his gaze to the images that Davenport was pulling up on the screen. I rolled my eyes and turned to look at the screen.
"Okay," Big D announced. "Ned hasn't filled us in on a lot, but he has given names on other comrades that Richmond has on hand." I realized a minute later that this should have spiked my interest. But I surprised myself when I felt nothing. I must be really tired.
"Who are they?" Bree asked. She was leaning against the table, on the other side of Adam.
"I haven't got all the names yet, but here are a few files on some of them. apparently a lot do have records," Davenport said, surprise etching his voice. He pressed a couple of things, and security footage appeared. "Jack sent me this stuff, not wanting to let anyone know that we are in contact again." On the screen was pictures of the men Ned named. There were some record files, and I was surprised to see some footage that Adam took during our last mission. I could tell the video was heavily edited, but unless you knew what had actually went down, nothing unusual seemed to be detected.
"What about Ivan?" Adam asked.
"I don't know," Davenport shrugged his shoulders. "As far as I've been informed, they still haven't found him. When they searched his office and his house, everything was empty. Apparently he's gone into hiding." The disappointment that we failed to hail the one thing that we needed most dug deeper then I thought.
"Were Jack's kids there? When Ned was questioned?" I interrupted, saying something for the first time. Davenport gave me a weary look.
"Yes," he said finally. "They've been there since we left, getting questioned and what not." Suddenly rocked out of my tired state, I stared wide-eyed at Big D.
"They've been there for five days?!" I sputtered. Davenport nodded, suddenly looking tired. He clicked a few other buttons, and some witness files came up, stating things like: 'This information was retained and told from the perspective of so and so'. I saw three signatures at the bottom of it, and noticed Ashley's right away. It was the last one, but it was definitely the biggest. It almost overlapped James and Jacobs signature.
"Jack sent me this so I can start making a file." I tore my eyes away from Ashley's signature to stare at Davenport.
"You mean they've kept them there this long?" I asked.
"They haven't even gone home?" Bree said, sounding shocked.
"They're going to need a bath when they get home." Leo remarked, finally joining in on our conversation. Adam hastily agreed.
"Good thing they have a lot of bathrooms."
"Jacob wasn't kidding when he said they were in for a heck of a time," Davenport carried on, ignoring Leo and Adam's discussion of how many bathrooms Jack has, and whether or not he has fruit scented soap. "They haven't gone back to school or back to the house. The government is holding them in rooms until they give the sign that they are free to leave."
Jacob's words from earlier in the week ringed in my ears, then I pictured all of them being held in rooms like criminals. I suddenly didn't care that they were getting all the credit. Nothing could put a price on freedom. I felt bad for them, even Ashley. I wonder how she holds up being stuck in a room for a while, considering that no animal likes to be caged.
"What are they doing with the associates?" Leo wondered.
"They are looking for them, and locking them up after questioning."
"Well, at least they got something out of him. Are they charging him?" Bree asked. Davenport nodded, closing up the files and turning off the screen.
"He's being charged with conspiracy or attempt of something I can't remember." He flung his hands in the air. "What I really wanted to say is," He paused. "Even though you are not getting any credit, I am very proud of you." He gave us a smile, and I felt happy I somewhat pleased him. I gave a small smile when he looked at me.
"I know we've gotten off to a bit of a rocky start," I scoffed.
"More like a rock slide. With jagged, protruding rocks ready to pierce your heart the minute they strike you." I said, making sure to make every syllable sound sarcastic. Davenport sighed and gave me a look saying 'Really? You can't just leave it the way it is?' I shrugged. "It's the truth."
"Anyway," He said, gaining back everyone's attention. "You helped recover the biggest clue we've gotten yet." I ignored people's high-fives. "I'm going to call Jack, see what's going on." I watched him leave the lab, while Leo, Bree and Adam began discussing Jack's kids, and what they must be doing while being held.
"Look," I snapped when they got louder. "Carry on all you want, but can you do it upstairs, please? I'm going to sleep." I know it came out harsher then I had wanted it to, but I couldn't think straight. I couldn't even see straight, I ended up stumbling to my capsule. It took me a moment, but I finally secured myself safely inside. I looked through the glass to see the three leaving, still taking about...Well. Probably everything. Leo still thinks were holding out, so I guess he's grilling them to a crisp, eager to know everything.
I tried to relax, and fall asleep. But the thought that Ivan is out there, probably still helping Richmond didn't ease my worries. After about twenty minutes, I finally fell into a deep sleep.
Another week has gone by. I have gotten a little more sleep, but not very much. I wasn't as cranky, so some progress was made.
We haven't gone on any missions. Davenport has been talking to Jack, and told us that his kids were finally released and their discussions have lately been revolving around how to improve mission execution.
I have finally got caught up on all the school work, while also helping Adam and Bree. Now I was back to finishing my school work before everyone else, and being the only one without homework on the weekend. Or during the week. In other words, Trent's spit balls were now back, firing at full speed. I reached to the back of my head, removing the left over spit balls. At least we had a long weekend.
"Finally it's Friday!" Leo said, groaning while flopping down on the couch. We just got back, and I was ready to get out of the house and do something fun. We had been training and reviewing information. Quite frankly, I am sick of it. I need a break. "Why don't we go see a movie or something?" Leo suggested.
"Sorry," Bree said, smiling wide. "I got plans. I'm heading tot he mall with my friends to do some...Shopping." I eyed her suspiciously.
"Shopping? For what?" I asked as she sat beside Leo.
"Oh, just...New stuff. My clothes are really out-dated, and nobody can see me in them-." I blocked out the rest of her girl jibber-jabber.
"To the movies!" I shouted, and before we could dash for the door, Davenport came out of the hall, with the phone to his ear.
"Yes, they just got in. I'll tell them, bye." He hung up and walked over to us with a huge smile plastered on his face. This wasn't good.
"What's going on?" Leo asked, guarded. We all took a cautious step backwards.
"Good news everyone!" Big D shouted, throwing his arms in the air. "Leo, pack your bubble wrap, because were all going to Jack's for the weekend." My jaw hit the floor.
"YES!" Leo screamed, and bounded over to Davenport, and dropped to his knee's. "Thank you!" He said, before pouncing up, and running off. Probably to pack his bubble wrap.
"We all thought you guys could use a break, and the feds have things under control. And hey, if you need to go on a mission, at least your all together!" Davenport added.
"For what, may I ask," A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I walked up to Davenport, but apparently no one noticed. "Why are we going there? We can just stay here for our 'break'!" I said, surprised I managed to get that sentence out without screaming or yelling it in his face. Clearly no one saw the problem. Adam and Bree looked excited, Leo was probably frolicking the whole way to his room, and Davenport had this huge cheesy smile on his face.
"Family bonding. Isn't this great!" I swear I almost fainted. Me and Ashley under the same roof for three days? Bonding?!
"Yeah, great." I mocked. "Perfect!" It would be great if I make it out alive. It would be just peachy. Just dandy.
Well, there you go. Sorry if this chapter was shorter than the others. I'm trying to make them longer.
Keep reading and reviewing! You guys rock!
~monkey87
