[A/N] I'm on a roll! Let's finish THIS! I think I have a possible Part 3 in mind? WOO! We'll see… ;)
Enjoy the chapter folks!
Chapter 11
Rocky and Tum Tum made a few circles around the golf course in search of Jet and Rachel, but to no avail. Exhausted, the two of them met back where they had started, panting heavily after running the length of the 36-hole golf course, which was no easy feat despite their more-than-capable stamina.
The natural landscaping of the course had also made their search slightly more complicated, the variety of undulations and greens adding to its already obstacle-like environment. The bridges, streams, waterfalls, and fresh foliage were also less than accommodating as it increased the number of hiding places. It was beautiful to say the least but it was less than ideal when searching for two people, and they weren't exactly there to admire the scenery.
"Any… any luck?" Rocky huffed.
"No." Tum Tum shook his head. "And I even checked the parking lot. Jet's car is still there, which means he should still be here, too."
"Well, well," a voice hissed from behind a palm tree. "…if it isn't our old friends."
Rocky and Tum Tum turned. "You," Rocky sneered, recognizing the man instantly.
Another man emerged, this time from across a bridge, shaking his head and tutting mockingly. "Now, is that any way to greet your old friends?"
"Sorry, we don't make friends with idiots," Tum Tum snorted.
The two men's faces stiffened in anger, and soon, a third and fourth man appeared, and it wasn't long before a dozen men had surrounded them. Rocky and Tum Tum engaged their guard stances and backed into each other. The odds were definitely not in their favor. Nevertheless, this was what they trained for, what they lived for.
"Where is he?" Rocky asked icily, demanding to know where his friend was and having no doubt in his mind that they were responsible for his disappearance.
"Oh, our other little friend... he was such an easy target that one, so distracted by a pretty face. What was his name?" the man asked, turning to his mates and snapping his fingers sarcastically. "Airplane? Rocket?"
"Jet," Rocky corrected. "It's Jet, you moron."
"See? Idiots. Can't even remember a one-syllable nickname," Tum Tum added, laying it on even thicker.
The man clicked his tongue, an irritated expression plastered on his face. "You know, I really would watch what I say. This Jet guy… he might need all the help he can get."
"Not if I can help it!" Colt shouted from out of nowhere, somersaulting across the bridge and attacking with incredible speed before Rocky even had a chance to discern his arrival.
"Colt!" Rocky yelled, not expecting anything less from his brother who took pleasure in grand entrances.
One flying kick, a blocked punch, and an elbow later, which caused the first of his opponents to fall through the bridge and into the water below, Colt finally responded, "At your service, Rocky."
River, on the other hand, emerged from beyond a waterfall, hair dripping wet, but nevertheless looking as fierce as ever, as she roundhouse kicked her nearest opponent, punched another, and caught her third man in a choke hold. Her twin brother was missing, and these men had suddenly reentered back into their lives to cause havoc. She was livid to say the least.
Rocky and Tum Tum grinned, glad for reinforcements and commenced their own battles against Moretti's thugs. It was more than just déjà vu; this battle had become personal.
Chased by his own set of enemies, Rocky scampered away into a man-made cave. He stopped abruptly as the exit of the cave yielded another group of nasty men, with clenched fists, cruel smiles, and sheer motivation of settling the score. Rocky, however, wasn't about to give them the satisfaction. Not even close.
They charged, and Rocky leaped and grabbed two fake stalactites from above and used their support to force them back with a succession of well-calculated kicks. He jumped down and grinned smugly.
"Aw, you guys lasted so much longer the last time we met," he mocked. "You, at least entertained me. I'm kinda bored this time."
They charged once again, only to be met by a ready and able Rocky. Two, who were running from opposite ends were knocked out instantly as he grabbed their heads and smashed them into each other. The others, after putting up a notable fight, ended with an elbow to the face, an upper cut, and the last being flipped onto his back.
Rocky shook his head as he dusted his hands off. "Idiots."
Meanwhile, Tum Tum maintained his fighting stance, as his opponents circled him expectantly. Smiling mischievously, he held two plastic golf balls in his hand, rotating them in orbit like a pair of Chinese exercise balls. "What are you waiting for?" he taunted.
The men growled in anger as they attacked. But Tum Tum was more than ready for them as he threw the balls with remarkable precision right at each of his enemy's frontal skull. Fazing them effectively, the young ninja proceeded with a finishing blow, a sweeping low kick causing them to fall on the ground and a punch between the eyes to knock them unconscious.
From the bridge, Colt cast River a glance where she stood under the waterfall. He flew towards her, Moretti's goons in pursuit. Colt knew that she was more than capable of fending for herself, but that still didn't hamper his protective boyfriend persona as he punched the opponent in her choke hold square in the jaw and knocked him out cold.
"Colt!" River scolded. "I was going to ask him where Jet was!"
Colt stared at her, his mouth forming an 'o' as he realized his mistake. "Oops, sorry."
River groaned, but chose to take her frustration out on an unlucky bystander, who stumbled towards her, his face meeting her knee while another got a taste of her backhand.
Another man had caught up to Colt only to encounter his quick reflexes as he ducked and landed a jab to the torso with a stray golf club. He flashed a triumphant smirk, before his head tilted to evade another attack, which he then followed with an impressive roundhouse kick.
Colt looked up just in time to catch one of Moretti's thugs attempting a sneak attack on River. He grinned at her. Getting the hint, River laced her hands together, and using this as his spring, Colt launched himself over her.
"Fore!" he said, swinging the golf club and landing a striking blow to the man coming from behind her.
He landed and grinned, but River just rolled her eyes. "Impressive, Colt, but don't think that makes up for knocking out all our sources of information," she said sarcastically.
Colt looked around, taking note of the bodies surrounding them and ran a hand through his hair. "We'll find him," he told her, his tone apologetic.
River stepped forward and poked him in the chest. "Oh yeah?" she snapped, now facing him. "How are we going to do that? Tell me, I'm listening."
"I don't know how yet, but I know we'll find him."
"How do you know that, Colt?"
"Because…" He swallowed as he stared at the narrowed eyes of River. Irritated as she was at him, he still considered her beautiful. "Because I'd do anything for you."
River's face softened. "You… what?"
"I love you, okay," Colt blurted. "I. Love. You." He repeated it to make sure that she had heard. "I thought you should know this by now! How I feel about you and what I feel towards you, when I'm around you, even when I'm just thinking about you… it's not supposed to be complicated, right? But it is! I don't understand it, and it's so fuckin' frustrating."
He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair once again, his brown locks tousling between his fingers. "How can I show you my feelings when I don't even understand it myself? I'm a guy. Things are supposed to be simple, but this is the most complicated thing I've ever felt. That's love, right? For fuck sake."
River was stunned. She wasn't expecting this, yet it was exactly the kind of thing that she could expect from Colt—unpredictable, passionate, and perfect. Just like him. He was perfect, and she knew it. Blushing, she averted her gaze, unable to look him in the eye.
"Riv, look at me," Colt demanded.
She did as she was told, and she had barely met his hazel eyes before his lips had pressed up against hers. When Colt deepened the kiss, she immediately melted into him, denying her of any more negative feelings. She had never been so overcome with emotion in her life.
A cleared throat, or rather, two cleared throats were meant to interrupt Colt and River's moment, but they hadn't. However, another two cleared throats and a tap on the shoulder later, Colt and River finally parted only to meet two pairs of crossed arms and cocked eyebrows.
"Um… how long were you guys standing there?" Colt asked, embarrassed.
"Longer than we wanted to," Rocky answered.
A deep shade of crimson, River smiled timidly. "Sorry, guys. Oh my God, you must think I'm horrible! My brother is out there somewhere, and here I am, making out with you!" she said, turning to Colt and swatting his shoulder.
Colt blinked, amazed at the speed of which it took her to recover because he was still feeling rather light-headed.
"Well, unfortunately we don't have much to go on," Rocky said.
"Rock, our dads are gonna know about this, and we can't play the waiting game while they go out there and look for him," River said pointedly. "We never play the waiting game."
Tum Tum turned to his brother and nodded convincingly. "She's right, Rocky," he said quietly.
Rocky looked thoughtful. "Wait a minute…" he said, snapping his fingers. "We do have something."
The others looked to him questioningly.
"One of those guys said that Jet was easily distracted by a pretty face. Sure, we all know this as fact, but—"
"Rachel," River cut it. "I knew it! I knew that she was bad news. When I get my hands on her, I swear…"
"Hold on, Riv," Rocky said. "We don't know for sure if she has anything to do with this yet. Although..." He paused, looking thoughtful. "It would make sense."
"Does it matter?" Colt finally spoke up. "It's the only thing we have to go on."
Tum Tum turned to his brother again. "He's right, Rocky," he repeated.
"Yeah, you're right. I think it's time to pay someone a visit," Rocky finalized as the sound of sirens wailed in the distance. The four looked up as the unmistakable flashing of red and blue lights approached the golf course. "Let's get out of here before they find us."
[A/N] Big 'AAAW' to Colt and his unconventional (yet, so Colt) confession. I don't see him as the poetic-type when it comes to romance. Rough around the edges fits him, so it seemed like something he would definitely say. I hope you agree. :)
So… Rachel. Need I say more? I made that predictable, lol.
Hope you enjoyed it! NEXT chapter, you'll get explanations! Stay tuned, loves! And as always, REVIEWS are appreciated! 'Til next time.