Lirin: Hi guys. I haven't forgot ya I promise. Just having a hard time find motivation and actually time to work. With that said I wont babble on here. I don't own Beyblade or the series characters. There is no profit from this work. And well thanks everyone that reviewed and at least read up until this point.


Chapter 11: Small Step Forward

Demkov was bored. He was leaning against a wall in Tom's room waiting for his captain to stretch out. Master Boris had summoned for Tom to be brought to his office. Something had been mumbled about Tom now being trustworthy enough to release.

Skyla was busy with a check up meaning Demkov got the short end of the stick playing tour guide for Tom. A roll he'd much rather not be doing ever. In fact he still resented that Tom had come in and stole his treasured title on the Abbey's back up team.

Actually he doesn't even know why Master Boris was even bothering with the brown haired youth. After all it had been him and Skyla that remained faithful to Boris. They were the ones to help plot his escape with Voltaire and that group. They were the ones to aide in Boris's new base set up. It was all them not Tom or the other traitors. And yet Boris was fixated on them. He and Skyla meant so little to him.

One last crack of the neck and a pleasant sigh Tom turned to face Demkov. "I'm ready." The usual warmth in Tom's voice was not there. There was no trace of it ever having been there. He was going cold. The exact emotional mind set Boris liked his soldiers in.

"It took you long enough." Demkov moved away from the wall. "Follow me and don't get lost. I don't want to have to track you down or explain your wondering to Master Boris."

"You don't have to worry about that. Just take me to Master Boris." Harsh and commanding is how Tom sounded. Demkov had to admit this is not the soft Tom he used to know and despise. Given more time he just might have to admit he respects this new Tom.

XxXxXx

Tom stood before Boris. His back was straight, shoulders back, hands firmly clasped behind him. His brown eyes stared forward as he waited patiently for his master to deliver orders.

"Welcome back to us Tom," Boris said in his fake pleasant tone. The same tone he uses to sway people into trusting him.

"Thank you sir," Tom replied with respect.

"I had been worried about you when I heard those dangerous rebels had captured you. Then you had fallen off the radar so we could not find you for a time. Yes it had been a terrible worry on my mind. I'm just so glad that you have been returned safely to us. And on top of that you aren't looking out of shape at all. Yes a very good thing to discover after all this time."

"I'm sorry to have caused you to worry Master Boris."

"Don't be concerned. It's all in the past. Right now I want Demkov to show you around our new..., Boris fumbled for the right word, "ah institute and have you jump right into some basic training. Start easy to get back into things here."

"As you wish Master Boris."

"Remember not to take too long with the basics. I'll be requiring your strength for missions soon Tom."

"Understood Master."

"One last thing before you leave." Boris reached into his desk and pulled out a metallic red beyblade. "This is your new blade. Torus is still being examined. He should be back in your possession soon. With him you shall receive a new launcher as well. Until then a standard one shall do. You can find them in the training hall. You're dismissed now."

Tom saluted Boris before turning on his heels and walked out the door. Demkov had remained outside waiting for him.

"Master Boris requests you show me around then we start training. I suggest we hurry with the tour."

"Whatever you say Captain." Demkov silently hated the idea of leading the brown hair thief around. However Master Boris's orders were absolute, leaving him with no way to object. "Don't lag behind."

XxXxXx

There's something exciting about training with my team. I haven't felt this much excitement since breaking out of the Abbey. While they're outside of their comfort zone they are about to keep everyone on their toes. I can never tell what's going to be pulled out of their bag of tricks. And this is only the sixth day of training! At this rate I wont have to worry about them when the real fighting begins.

Though as nice as the training is, I love afterwards. A pleasantly warm shower rinsing off the built up sweat and grime of the day. Then a bit of alone relaxation as I wait for Johnny to finish his shower. Finally the night ends cuddling close with him. Oh yeah I've gotten pretty used to letting my guard down with him. It makes for easier sleeping.

Well right now I'm just waiting for Johnny's shower to finish when his phone starts going off. I can't believe he's the type to assign different ringtones for most everyone in his contacts list. So I'm listening to "Springtime for Hitler" from The Producers. It's too funny to even face palm at. He would have this assigned as Rob's indicator.

I take a deep breath and clear my throat before pressing the accept button. "Thank you for calling young Master McGregor's phone. He is currently busy with unmentionable deeds. May I take a message for him or his lover?"

If Robert had been drinking he wasn't any more. I'm fairly certain I heard him spit something out. "I shall call back later." Oh yeah he's totally flustered and that breaks my professional act as I burst into giggles.

"Don't bother Rob. I'm only kidding with ya. Though Johnny is preoccupied at the moment. Tell me what's up."

"Kisa I do wish you would refrain from uncouth commentary like that."

"I don't know what you're talking about Robbie. I barely said anything. It was you who jumped onto certain conclusions."

He cleared his throat. This topic is over. "Please inform Johnny that my family holiday has concluded and we have returned back to Germany."

"Oh great. You know he'll want to know if we can show up tomorrow."

"I suppose he would. I can't see any problems if you are coming in late."

"Fair enough. I'll pass the word along to the others."

"Very well. I shall have rooms set up for you all."

"Sounds great. Thanks Rob."

We hang up just as Johnny comes in. He's only wearing his flannel bottoms and a towel over his shoulders that's collecting the water droplets from his hair.

"Who were ya talk'n with?" he asks before kissing my cheek.

I cock my head to the side. "It was only Rob. Said we can show up late tomorrow. Can I have that massage now?"

I squeak as he sweeps me up bridal style being careful of my wings. "Anything to make you happy Princess."

For the rest of the night we act as though there isn't a care in the world. His strong hands worked on freeing my back from the tension that likes to build. And I returned the favor. After that we snuggled close under the blankets letting sleep take us.


Lirin: That's all I got for now. I promise the next update wont be so long in the wait. So if its not too much to ask please leave a review. They're helpful for motivation and ever continuing growth. Thanks so much everyone.