Chapter 10

The road trip is becoming a drag. We could've gone from Georgia to California in four days, but Patricia insists we have to take an unorthodox route. We go back up to the East Coast and actually go north to Boston before heading west again. I swear we've circled the entire Midwest three times. On our way, we obviously stay clear of New Mexico, and take a route through Colorado into the mountains. It's been three weeks since we crashed the boat. Now we're finally headed to California.

It's not just me either; everyone is getting bored. Nine is no longer the annoying macho man we heard all the time. He's resorted to reading to pass the time. Of all people. Marina, Ella, and I chat, and Lucy sometimes joins in. And of course, you have the two lovebirds, who never get bored. They don't do anything when they're with us, but when they go off on their own, everyone knows what they're doing.

After these three grueling weeks, we're finally coming to the end of our trip. We're driving through Nevada right now and we figure to be at the California coast tomorrow night. We're making a stop at Reno right now, at noon. Patricia finds a restaurant for us to eat at. Marina nudges me.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"Can I ask you something for a minute?" she says.

"Sure," I reply. I motion to Patricia that we'll be inside in a moment. "What is it?"

"Do you like Eight?" the question comes so suddenly, it throws me off guard.

"What?" I say idiotically.

"I said, do you like Eight?" There's a little edge to Marina's voice. I've snapped out of my trance. Only now does the question actually register.

"Of course not," I say. "I don't know where you get that idea from."

"Really?" she's glaring at me now. "You're always flirting with him."

"Marina, that's just for fun," I explain. "I get bored sometimes, you know?"

"You sound serious when you do it," she says. "It makes me jealous."

"I'll stop if you want me to," I say. "I know you like him."

"You do?" she blushes. "He's really handsome…" I laugh.

"I can tell by the way you look at him all the time," I tell her.

"Yeah, I haven't really made it a secret, have I?" she says.

"You wanna hear my advice for you?" I say. She perks up.

"Oh, sure."

"Go after him, girl." I smile. "I'll tell you something: I think Eight likes you too. Now you just have to take the first step. Pull him aside like you did with me, and tell him."

"I don't know," she says. "I'm kinda shy around him."

"I can help you," I assure. "Marina, I'm actually really happy for you."

"Thanks, Six." She grins.

"No problem, Marina."

We get back on the road again after lunch. Marina purposely sits next to Eight, and I sit next to her. She tries making some small talk with Eight. Eight cracks a few jokes and she giggles. I smile privately. I'm like a sister to John, and a big sister for Marina.

We finally get to California the next day. It's the last day of what's been a lifestyle for the past three weeks. In the evening we'll reach San Francisco and finally get out of our roadtrip misery. I'm already looking forward to throwing the van in the Bay, and I'm sure I would have everyone's support on that.

"Alright, gang, here's the plan," Patricia announces to us. "Obviously we're all tired tonight, so we'll sleep in the car." There's a collective groan from the group. "I know you guys are tired of this, but just put up with it for one more night. Tomorrow Nine can blow his money on whatever he wants us to live in, and we'll get unpacked and settled. But since we've been cooped up in this van for so long, I thought we could celebrate a little bit tonight…" Her words are drowned out by our cheering. Being in a car for three weeks will do that to you.

"Please, let me finish!" Patricia holds up a hand for silence. We quiet down. "Anyway, what I was going to say is that we're gonna go dine out at an expensive restaurant tonight. I figured it's the best way to celebrate without compromising security. So, do you guys have any ideas?"

"John's Grill," John says with a grin on his face. Sarah looks at him quizzically.

"You're not picking that just because it has your name in it, are you?" Patricia asks.

"Nope," John answers. "When Henri and I first started out, we went to California. I remember eating there when I was little."

"Alright, then," Patricia says. "John's Grill. Any of you have money handy?" Eight holds up his wad of 100 dollar bills. Patricia nods in approval.

"That'll be plenty," she says. "Let's go!"

An hour later, we're all seated at John's Grill. The atmosphere is upbeat and cheerful. People talk at nearby tables, waiters hurry around, and occasionally there are shouts from the kitchen. John's sitting next to Sarah. Patricia's by Lucy, who's sitting next to Nine. Eight's sitting by Nine, with Marina next to him. Ella sits next to Marina and I'm by Ella and Sarah.

We sit around and wait for our food. I observe what everybody's doing. John's talking with Sarah. Patricia is on her phone. Nine's talking to Lucy, and I see her laugh when he says something. Marina and Eight are chatting. They've been talking more ever since Marina talked to me. I'm happy for her. Ella and me? We're just chilling, listening to the soft music, and winding down after our trip.

Our food arrives about half an hour later. Everyone immediately stops talking. We're sick of the fast food garbage we've had to eat for the past three weeks. Everyone digs in without a word. When we're finished, we head back to the van. I nudge Marina. She turns to me.

"What?" she whispers.

"When are you gonna tell him?" I whisper back.

"Tell him what?" Marina asks. I make a face. "Oh," she says, understanding.

"It's now or never," I whisper. "Tell him you love him."

"I don't know what to say," she says sadly. "I'm too shy."

"I'll go with you," I say quickly. "Don't worry about it."

"Alright, I guess," she says. I walk up to Eight.

"Hey Eight?" I ask.

"Yeah, Six?" he says.

"Marina wants to ask you something," I tell him.

"Oh, um, ok," he says. I drag Marina over to him.

"Let's wait until Patricia parks the van in our spot for the night, then Marina can tell you," I suggest. Eight nods his head. We get in the van. Patricia drives to the emptiest lot she can find in San Francisco. I tell Patricia that Eight, Marina, and I will be gone for a little while. She nods and I open the door. We step out into the cool night. I lead them over to a dark alley.

"Alright, Marina, you can tell him," I say. Marina takes a deep breath.

"Eight?" she says.

"Yeah?" he answers.

"Well, you know how we've been talking more lately?" she starts.

"Um, yeah?" Eight's starting to look uncomfortable.

"Well, I kinda…I didn't really talk to you just to talk to you," she says sheepishly.

"Oh, um…alright," Eight replies uncomfortably.

"You know…the truth is…I love you." She suddenly hugs Eight. Eight looks even more shocked than I am.

"I loved you from the moment I saw you," she whispers. "That kiss you gave me when I found your Chest was a dream come true."

"Marina…" Eight lets go of her and looks into her eyes.

"Yes?" Marina wipes a tear from her eyes.

"I-I love you too." Eight hugs her. "I'm kinda shy around you too," he admits. "But I love you too. I always did from the moment I saw you."

And thus a new couple is born. We walk back to the van, Eight and Marina holding hands. We're all smiling like idiots. John raises his eyebrows when he sees Eight and Marina holding hands. He gives me a questioning look. This time, it's my turn to just smile at him.

You know, just because I'm a huge John/Sarah fan doesn't mean I've forgotten about the other pairings. Lol. I'll do some Six/Sam once they rescue Sam, and Nine/Five while they're gone. Next upload probably in 4-5 days because I uploaded this one so early.