This chapter seemed like a decent length to me originally, but now it looks a little shorter than I wanted, but I feel if I put more in this chapter it's overdoing it. Just a warning to try and prevent confusion, during more personal conversations Mitchie is called by her real name. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 10
"So how'd we do?" Shane asked as they came off the stage as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"Ewww…get off me sweaty!" She exclaimed shoving him away, but unlike most nights, the twinkle wasn't as prominent in her eyes, and her laugh sounded hollow, which didn't go unnoticed by Shane.
"What's wrong?" he asked bringing his arm back around and gripping her shoulders so as to look into her eyes instead.
Looking at him she struggled to speak as the tears welled up in her eyes and she felt a lump from in her throat. Just shaking her head she buried it in his chest as she was overcome with sobs, his arms coming to wrap around her protectively.
"Shh…it's alright Mary. Whatever the problem is, we'll fix it, I won't let anything happen to you." He comforted.
Nate and Jason came over from the water table with concerned looks on their faces, giving Shane a questioning look. His only response was a tiny shrug as he stroked Mary's back and held her close. Looking down at her for a second he looked back up at them and mouthed the words, "Get Mom and Dad." And the two boys nodded in understanding before heading off in search of their parents.
When the two came back with their parents and Big Rob a few minutes later, Shane and Mary were still in the exact same positions that had been when they'd left.
Mary finally lifted her head out of Shane's chest as Big Rob gently put his hand on her shoulder.
"There's an agent waiting on the bus to discuss our options with us." He informed her.
Nodding her head though her tears she followed him and Mr. and Mrs. Grey towards the bus, smiling slightly when Shane came up next to her and grabbed her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Alright Mitchie, so you have two options." Trisha the agent who'd been sent to talk to them informed them. Them meaning the Grey family, Mitchie, and Big Rob. Though she was really upset she was also extremely touched that the whole family was there for her.
"Option one is that you can stay here, but the agency will have to instill certain precautious measures like your own personal body guard and a tracker for starters. Option two would be sending you off to live with an agent's family and changing your identity again." Trisha explained. "Now as much as I understand this is a big decision, you'll have to make a decision as soon as possible for your own safety."
Nodded her head. Biting her lip she spoke softly. "I think I'd prefer option number two."
"What!?" Shane exclaimed looking at her in shock from where he sat next to her. "Why would want that Mitchie?"
Shaking her head as the tears started up again she looked in his eyes. "If I stay here Shane, I'm just going to be putting you and your family in danger." She sighed. "I can't do that. You guys are too important to me."
"Mitchie." Denise said coming over to her from where she sat across the room. "I told you in the beginning that no matter what we'd protect you. Don't think that now that the situation's more complicated that's going to change. If anything, we'd rather have you here with us and know that we can help protect you instead of sending you off to someone else and not knowing whether or not you're safe."
Trying unsuccessfully to wipe away her tears she asked quietly, "How could you want to protect me when it means putting all of you at risk?"
"You're family Mitchie. We do anything for our family."
Mitchie sat there silently for a few moments before speaking. "I'll stay here."
Everyone else smiled and soon enough she was engulfed in a big hug from everyone in the Grey family and Big Rob and she laughed slightly.
Releasing their hold everyone returned to their seats as they looked at Trisha waiting to have to sort out the details of her staying.
"Alright then. Since you're staying there's a number o f things we'll have to do. First off is getting you a body guard. The agency will get assign you someone who will be able to easily blend in with your group, but who will be readily available everywhere you go so in any case of need they can help. They probably won't need to stay with you guys on the bus because there are so many people here but when you're in hotels they will need to stay in your room." She started while writing notes on the notepad in her lap. "We'll also put a gps tracker in your cell phone so that in the case something seriously goes wrong, we can still find you. In all instances as many people as possible need to know where you are, and you always have to have someone with you. Is that alright with you?"
Mitchie nodded her head.
"Well I'm sure you're all tired so I'll let you get to sleep and we'll be in contact tomorrow. The only thing is I'm going to need to take your cell phone tonight so we can set up the tracker."
Getting up Mitchie went to her bunk and grabbed her cell out of her purse before handing it to Trisha.
"Thank you. Now are there anymore questions before I leave?" she asked taking the phone and standing up.
Everyone but Mitchie shook their heads no causing everyone to look at her expectantly.
"Umm," she started looking at the ground nervously. "Can you tell me how my family is?"
Trisha looked at her sympathetically. "I don't know much, but I do know that they are in very capable hands."
Mitchie nodded in response to her answer. "Thank you."
Later on Mary lay awake in her bunk staring at the ceiling of the van, her mind too busy to fall asleep.
Turning at the knock on the bottom of her bunk she flipped her head over the side to look upside-down at Shane who was in the bunk below her. After the two had started bonding, Nate and Jason got tired of waking up because Mary and Shane were talking to each other across the bunks so Jason had switched with Shane.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Are you alright Mary?" he asked and she shook her head no. "Come here." He told her patting the empty space next to him.
Needing no further urging she sat up straight and slipped out of her bunk before climbing in next to him cuddling into his chest. He in return wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on the top of her head.
"What's on your mind?"
She shrugged, and then after a moment added, "I'm just worried about what will happen."
"As long as I'm around, I promise you nothing will happen." He promised looking into her eyes.
Smiling she wrapped her arms around him even tighter.
"I don't know what I'd do without you Shane." She murmured into his chest.
Shane just smiled and played with her hair, internally debating with himself if he should tell her how he really felt or not.
Making up his mind he pulled away slightly so he could look her in the eyes. "Hey Mitch?" he asked. Getting her attention. He almost never used her real name, even in private.
Sitting up slightly she looked at him concerned. "Yes Shane?"
"Umm, well this might now be the best time to tell you this…" he trailed off looking down at him hands.
"What Shane?" she asked softly grabbing his hands and pulling his attention to her face again.
"Well…I kinda…" he stumbled before grabbing her face in his hands and gently pulling her towards him, their lips meeting in a quick gentle kiss.
Pulling away from her slightly he looked into her eyes and spoke in a whisper. "That. I like you Mitchie. A lot more than a friend should."
Grinning slightly she wrapped her arms around his neck before giving him another kiss. "What if I told you I felt the same way?" she asked against his lips.
"Then I might just have to kiss again." He smirked pulling her tighter against him, kissing her again, this kiss much more passionate than the previous two.
Pulling away again he rested his forehead against hers. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Giggling she replied, "I thought you would never ask."
To say that the two were tired from staying up late the night before would be an understatement, but the smiles on their faces were also prominent, and didn't go unnoticed by everyone else.
"Well what has you two so happy?" asked Nate as they sat down at the breakfast table.
"Oh…nothing." Shane answered grabbing her hand under the table.
"Mhm, sureee." He replied eyeing them warily.
"Morning everyone!" Frankie said bouncing into the room before stopping abruptly. "Why are you holding Mary's hand under the table?" he asked.
Shane and Mary blushed.
"Aha!" Jason said. "You sneaks! Are you together?" he asked.
Mitchie nodded her head before resting it on Shane's shoulder. "He asked me out last night."
Just then Mr. and Mrs. Grey joined them in the front room of the bus.
Immediately spotting the pair Mrs. Grey smiled and rushed over to them. "Please tell me this means what I think it means." She exclaimed to the two.
"Yes Mom, we're dating." Shane said causing her to wrap the two in a giant hug.
"I'm so happy for you two, but of course you know this means that there's going to have to be some ground rules set down." She said her tone suddenly serious.
The two nodded their heads in response but continued to sit there happily holding hands. For now Mary was just happy to have someone to care for her the way she knew Shane did.
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