Here's the next chapter folks. Tell me what you think. I'm thinking of writing a sexy times scene between Sean and Aaron. They're going to get together anyways, I just don't know if I should to write a smut scene with them, or a hate-sex scene between Chris and Legolas, but they're not getting together. Ah so many decisions. Anyways, enjoy and review.
Chapter 10: Best Intentions
Who knows what's right?
The lines keep getting thinner
My age has never made me wise
But I keep pushing on and on and on and on
There's nothing left to say now...
I'm giving up, giving up, hey hey giving up now...
There's nothing left to say now...
I'm giving up, giving up, hey hey giving up now- There's Nothing Left To Say Now, Imagine Dragons
It's midnight and while that's considered late for most it isn't for Chris or most of the inhabitants of Richie's house, more like mansion (drug cartels do have good salaries). If anything the only ones who are asleep are the hobbits and the dwarf. The elves she understands, they're old and from what she hears aging comes with insomnia. So they're in the sofa watching old episodes of Friends.
She's in the living room with them, but sitting in her own little corner, trying to see if any Omega operatives are coming over since after the incident at Hiro's house, she burned the place down. The bag contained close to five hundred thousand dollars in cash, pass ports, and a letter with a picture and Chris and Danny's dog tags and keys to a storage locker. The picture was of her and Gabriel and the letter is addressed to her son.
She hasn't opened it, whatever Hiro wrote was meant for Eric and she has too much respect for her father to go snooping, plus she can take a very close guess as to what he wrote in the letter. The dog tags and the picture stayed with the letter and Chris added Gabriel's dog tags along with it. She feels that they should go to Eric instead of her.
She's got LOKI hacking through various airports and cross-referencing the pictures that the airport has to pictures she has on the omega operatives that she has on her personal files. There are less than a hundred active operative in Omega and she has a small list of about half them, but it's still something.
"So what are you, some sort of spy, or something?" Richie asked from behind her.
"Not sort of, but actually a spy." Chris rolled her eyes.
"Huh." Richie replied.
"How did you get to Middle Earth? Were you on an assignment?" Richie further inquired.
"Actually I was on a Jiminy Cricket assignment." Chris said.
"Uh, sorry, idiot here. What the hell is a Jiminy Cricket assignment?" Chris frowned, she doesn't like to talk about it, but it's Richie and he knows her and in the end it's his opinion she cares for. The others… not so much.
"A Jiminy Cricket assignment is an assignment that Omega gives their operatives when they outrun their usefulness, or are questioning their loyalty to the organization.
"Every operative plays off to be a stone cold killer with no hesitation to kill their target and no remorse. We claim that we have no boundaries, no moral code, but that is not true. There is always a line that we will not cross. A specific target that we will not kill or an action we will not execute for any reason.
"A Jiminy Cricket assignment is basically a mission that forces its operative to cross that line or die not crossing it, because not completing the mission is tantamount to death. The organization knows that the agent is incompetent or can't be trusted and will send others to eliminate said agent." Chris said waiting for the next question.
"What was your line?" Richie asked quietly. She know the others are listening, even Legolas but she doesn't care, and their opinions don't matter. She doesn't care about what Legolas thinks of her. She doesn't. She meets Richie's eyes as she speaks.
"The mission was to infiltrate a terrorist training camp in mountains of Pakistan. We were told that the camp had files of different terrorist cells in Europe and names of operatives in the United States. Mission was simple, infiltrate, get the files, decimate the camp. Simple enough." Chris had to take a pause.
"The assignment was for me and Danny. I was the one that did the actual infiltration. He stayed at the outskirts of the camp. He was the sniper in case something went wrong and I needed help. You know how good a sniper Danny is.
"I was there for an hour and I realized what kind of assignment it was. The trainees weren't adult males. They were orphans. They were missing children from eastern Europe. There were reports of children going missing, but since they were from low economic standings, they were either ignored or said that the parents sold them for money or food. They were from various ages groups, the youngest I saw was five years old and the oldest was fourteen.
"I thought I could complete the assignment. It was easy to infiltrate them and get the files. It was burning down the camp that was the problem. In the end I couldn't do it. I knew that I was pretty much signing my own death warrant when I killed everyone but the children. Danny and I took the children and crossed the border to Afghanistan where we lost some of the children. The trek was too much for the younger ones. When we came to Afghan soil we had twenty-three children with us.
"We radioed the Marines and got them to send a chopper. We changed into a Marine's uniform and waited in the small village. They've had some marine presence from time to time so seeing two uniformed soldiers won't be unusual for anyone.
"The chopper came and loaded the children up, there wasn't enough for everyone so we stayed behind. While on take-off, the chopper was shot down by an RPG. Two of the operatives were there waiting for us. They knew we wouldn't kill the kids, even mission said to kill everyone, including trainees. So they sent two more to ensure that the mission was completed and we would be eliminated. The operatives were dressed in military uniforms and turned us in to the military that came a few hours later.
"We knew that we would be blamed for the death of those kids and the three soldiers there. We also knew that we would never live to speak in court. It was a matter of time before someone came to finish us off. What we didn't expect was for an attack of insurgents while on route to an FOB. The rest they say is ancient history." Chris finishes.
"Why did you take the blades?"
"Huh?" Chris asked confused.
"Your father's blades. You took them with you, why?" Chris laughed a bit when she thought about it.
"Honestly, I thought that I would need it. I felt that I needed to take it with me. I thought I would need it for the mission. Turns out I needed it for the other things."
"What got them to stop trusting you?"
"When I found out I was pregnant with Eric, I went MIA for about six months. When I came back I claimed amnesia since I disappeared while on assignment. It was just a matter of time before they lost faith in me and they knew Danny would turn on them the moment he found out so they decided to kill him along with me."
"That's fucked up, you gotta admit."
"It's what I signed up for. I knew what I was getting in." Chris shrugged looking relaxed, but really she was relieved that Richie wasn't judging her for this.
"You're taking this surprisingly well." Sean said entering the room, Aaron trailing behind him like a lost, eager puppy and… oh, god he has the puppy eyes on full blast. Considering that Sean is still ignoring his very existence he still hasn't forgiven Aaron. Chris is surprised by this, after facing the brunt of his guilt-ridden and shameful face, she had already forgiven Aaron. She's just stalling on actually saying she forgives him for another week.
So she's a vengeful bitch. Can anyone actually be surprised by this?
But Sean? Chris can honestly say she actually has a little more respect for him. Because not only is he still making him suffer; Sean is actually acting fairly calm about being obviously stalked by a master assassin who also happens to be a little over 70 years older than him. So yeah, Chris always knew there was a reason she liked Bambi (his nickname because of the small stature and innocent aura he practically oozes).
"My wife is a witch, caster as he puts it. I knew Chris was different when we were in the marines. Honestly, finding out that she worked as a spy for the U.S of A. is probably the most normal thing I've found out so far."
"So finding out that I'm also an elf, where would that fall into your weird shit-o-meter?" Chris asked still not looking up from her laptop. It was the lack of response and the stares she was feeling that made her look up at last. Aaron and Richie were both staring at her. If Marisol was still awake, she would be too.
"I'm sorry. Did you say you were an elf?" Aaron asked.
"Well, half-elf I suppose. Turns out my father's an elf." Chris said dryly. Again the silence and the staring. It's starting to irritate her.
"You don't look, uh… can someone help me out here?" Richie said after meeting Chris' withering gaze.
"So, ears?" Aaron asked. Chris rolled her eyes and tucked her hair behind her ears.
"I'm curious though, how is it that we know about their world?" Sean asked and Chris blinked. The thought did occur to Chris, but she never thought of asking.
"I mean, how do we know about their world and how it's going to end when if my information is correct, J. R. R. Tolkien has never actually been to middle earth or was he a closet dimension jumping wizard and we all just didn't know about it?" Sean asked. Aaron was silently contemplating the question.
"I'm not sure. We assumed that there were parallel universes, I mean legends says that there was never one world and we have had others who have 'jumped' for lack of a better word. However we have never had anyone actually come back from said 'jumps.' That being said you came back and you brought the evidence." He gestured to the elves whom were now looking back at them. Legolas was looking at anyone else but Chris.
"So how do we know about it?" Richie asked.
"Multiverse theory?" Sean suggested, but it was more of a question. That made Chris think.
"Possible. Infinite universes of infinite possibilities. Many physicists have posed the idea of parallel dimensions and the idea of the 'multiverse.' The very idea of infinite possibilities is not that surreal. More than likely there isn't just one universe of Middle Earth, but several. One where there was not ring and therefore no war, or a universe that played out exactly like the book or exactly like the movies, or even where Sauron and Saruman won the war. Personally, my favorite world would be one where the roles are reversed. They're the evil ones and the evil ones are the good ones." Chris smirked at the last one.
"So you're saying that Tolkien wrote a story that just so happened to be true?" Richie asked in a whinny voice. His head was hurting now.
"Not just Tolkien, also Stephen King, J. K. Rowling, Stan Lee. Hell, I'm pretty sure in another time, another place, another universe Buffy is staking Edward Cullen." Chris said wistfully.
"If we find such a crossover universe, can we see that?" Sean asks hopefully.
"Eh, why not? Could be fun." Chris shrugged.
"So which world are you in?" Aaron asked. Chris considered Aaron for a moment. Either he thought he was going or he accepted the fate of being left behind. God the poor man is suffering. Chris decided to let him angst it out for another three days, because any longer and it was the equivalent of lighting a box full of kittens on fire in front of a group of six year olds. God, she was getting soft, what's happening to her. She's blaming her elf genes.
"Don't know. The future's changed and they're only chance of winning this war is if I stayed and fight. Or at least that was what Galadriel says." Chris nodded towards the elder female.
"It is true, I do not see a clear picture of the future for it is based on the decisions and actions of certain key individuals. However, all possible futures in which the ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated rests on the decisions of the Ring-bearer and you, young Christian."
"Will you feel better if I told you I'm going to fight with you?" Chris said quietly. Aragorn chose that moment to enter the living room.
"Why, after the way we acted towards you?" Aragorn asked. Chris shrugged.
"You were angry and you lost Gandalf. I can understand that. It's not an excuse, but I can understand it. But mainly, I'm not doing it for your benefit. They took my father and my son. This isn't something I can detach myself from anymore. They made this personal and started a fight with me. Now they got one." Chris said darkly lips curving into a sadistic smile that sent shivers down everyone's back. Aaron and Sean were the only ones who truly understood how glad they were that they were not an enemy of short woman. Chris was already dangerous without her magic, they can only imagine how much more dangerous she is now that she is actively using her gifts.
"Excuse me." Legolas says as he stands up and leave the living room towards the stairs to the second floor and the guest rooms. Aragorn moved to follow him, but Chris stopped him.
"I'll go. I think we both need to have a talk." Chris said, standing up and walking away. Aragorn nodded reluctantly and Sean was uncertain about it as well, but trusted Chris' judgment. When Chris was up the stairs Richie spoke.
"So what's their story?" Sean contemplated telling them, but since everyone else knew it, he didn't see the point in hiding the truth.
"Well, you see…" Sean started to speak about Chris' and Danny's arrival in Middle Earth.
"Legolas?" Chris called him. Legolas didn't turn, but Chris knows he heard her.
"What do you want, Christian?" Legolas asked, voice sharper than normal. Chris isn't scared or hurt by it.
"You're angry." She states.
"So you can sense emotions like Marisol now?" Legolas sneers.
"I don't have to. I read people." Chris replies. Legolas finally turns and meets her gaze. Chris wants to run away from the blue eyed gaze, but she holds her ground. She's never run away before and she's not starting now.
"What makes you think that I'm… angry, as you so eloquently put it." Legolas mocks. He's trying to rile her up. He wants a fight. Fine then, Chris'll give him a fight. It'll be easier for the both of them in the end.
"You're angry that I didn't let you in my room when I was going to pack my safe." Chris starts and sees Legolas face flash through different emotions, before covering it in a mask of indifference.
"You're angry that I said I wanted to be friends, but I still don't trust you with my secrets." More emotions, it's getting harder for him to hide them, but he still manages. She'll have to dig deeper.
"You're angry that I have a son, or more specifically, I have a son with a man I undoubtedly love. His name is… was Gabriel Snow and I loved him. Actually, I still do love him." Chris started moving closer to him.
"Stop it." Legolas said through gritted teeth. His anger was showing; hands clenched, shoulders shaking, the physical signs of trying to repress his anger, trying to contain it. Chris was right in front of him.
"Most of all, you're not angry. You're jealous. Jealous of a man you don't know, who has my love, something you so desperately want, but can't have. You're jealous of the kisses I gave him and not you. Jealous of the whispered declarations of love I gave him and not you. You're jealous that you can't have…" Chris didn't get to finish her rant. Legolas had already struck her.
She fell to the ground. It wasn't from the force or physical pain, but from the shock of how much that actually hurt her emotionally. Damn, she really has it bad for Legolas. Legolas just stood there, inspecting his hand as if it was still possessed. He was shocked by his actions just as much as Chris.
"Feel better, or are you still angry?" Chris sneered. That snapped Legolas out of his thoughts. He glares down at her. Chris stands and meets his glare with her own defiant gaze.
"You are vile, cold-blooded woman and as you say… no good for me. This friendship is over. Do not speak to me or come up to me again." His voice was calm, but the hatred he bore down on her was very much there.
"Fine by me, now run along. Princess." Chris smirked. Legolas turned and walked down the hall and into his room. When he was in his room, Chris let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
It's fine. It's okay. It's really for the best. If that was true, then why does her chest hurt so much pain.
"You're an idiot." Marisol said from behind her. "He loves you and you could love him if you let yourself. Why fight it?" Of course, she heard everything. She probably heard everything downstairs too. Kudos to her sneakiness.
"He wants a normal life. He wants a wife to come home to. He wants a woman that doesn't have any scars. I can't do that for him. I can't heal completely. I'll always have scars and I'll never be able to live a normal life again."
"What makes you so sure?" Chris can only laugh bitterly.
"I tried it before. When I was pregnant with Eric, I tried to live a normal life. I couldn't do it. I couldn't make the transition. I tried, I really did try, but trying to live a normal life was the equivalent of killing everything that makes me who I am and I couldn't do it and I won't do it, not for anyone.
"That's what I loved about Gabriel. He loved me for me and didn't want me any other way, but Legolas doesn't know me. He sees me as this infallible person who could do no wrong.
"What he's jealous of the most about Gabriel is the fact that Gabriel fell in love with the real me, but he fell in love with an image that he has of me. That is what he is the most angry about."
Marisol didn't speak. She narrowed her eyes, trying to feel what Chris was feeling, but Chris assumed she was coming up with nothing, since Chris wasn't letting anyone in.
"Come on." Chris said tugging her hand and taking her down stairs. She noticed that Sean was gone, but Richie and Aaron were still there. When they were down, Richie waved his hand at them.
"Have fun." He said.
"What's he talking about." Chris asked.
"We're going to the pool house." Marisol said matter-of-factly.
"Okay? Why?" By then they were out the back door and walking towards the pool house.
"Because you and Sean are moping way too much and need a bitch-fest and I'm not one to deny an opportunity to complain about men."
"Marisol." Chris started to complain.
"No, no. Sean needs it, because the man has no mental blocks and you definitely need it after that scene. Plus there'll be plenty of alcohol." That made Chris reconsider.
"How much alcohol?"
"Enough to experiment how much it takes an elf to get drunk on tequila."
"I'm in." Chris said, she hasn't had a proper drink in months and right now, she really needs it.
A/N: Another chapter down and more interactions with the fellowship. I felt like I really neglected them, but yay they finally have a say and Legolas. Well, who ever thought that the path from exes to friends was ever easy especially since this is Chris we're talking about. So, yeah. Please review and tell me what you think.