*Edited Version*

Chapter 11: Replay of Events

Liz's P.O.V.

I was shoved against the wall for the sixth time, pain shooting through my shoulder. I groaned and turned causing the person that was about to hit me to instead collide his fist with the brick wall. The person howled out in pain as Grant snuck up behind him and hit his head with a brick.

Grant looked down at the now unconscious guy on the floor and tossed the brick beside his body. "I think that's the last one."

I nodded as I looked around at the unconscious men that had been surrounding us. Grant waved his arm and pointed out the alley way.

"Let's go."

We both began walking in silence and awkwardness soon set in.

"What happened to you?" Grant asked, breaking the silence.

"I guess I was underground in this system of tunnels," I answered.

"Did they hurt you?" He asked.

"No," I shook my head. "No torture of any kind."

Grant raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you have bruises, cuts, and scrapes?"

"Failed escape attempts," I explained. "Are Cammie and Macey still with you?"

"Yeah, actually-," Grant began, but was interrupted by the ringing of a phone. He rummaged through his pockets and pulled one out.

"Hello?" Grant asked. "I'm going, don't worry. No, I'm not being tailed."

Grant looked behind him and scanned the area. "Yeah, I'm sure. Do I go straight there? Fine, but it'll take awhile. Why don't I just meet you back there? Okay, see you then."

Grant hung up the phone, but instead of putting it back in his pocket he threw it directly at a wall and it shattered into little pieces.

"Just for insurance," he shrugged.

I nodded. "So what were you talking about?"

"Long story, but we'll explain when we get to the hideout," Grant replied. "Anyways…"

"Yeah?" I waited for him to finish his thought.

"Look, I don't want things to be awkward between us. When you got captured we sort of weren't really…" Grant couldn't finish his statement.

"Yeah, we should just put that behind us," I suggested.

Grant shook his head and he suddenly stopped walking.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

He closed his eyes for a moment before they fell on me. He sighed and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I don't think I can. Is that bad?"

I slowly began to shake my head. "I-I don't know."

"I know we didn't really talk about it except for that failed attempt at the hotel. It's just every time I look at you I feel guilty and I can't handle that. I feel guilty because…" He paused for a moment and met my eyes. "Forget it, just forget it."

He began to walk again and for a moment I contemplated whether or not to stop him and find out what he was going to say. In the end I decided against it and we both kept walking.

(***)

Grant opened the door to the hideout and my ears were immediately met with shouting. Zach, Cammie, and Macey appeared to be arguing.

I hid behind Grant and followed him as he stepped into the room.

"Guys," Grant called.

They continued to argue, ignoring Grant.

"Guys…" Grant tried to get their attention again but nothing.

He gave an exasperated sigh and once again shouted, "Guys!"

"What?" All three of them said simultaneously.

"Look who I found roaming the streets of Chad," He told them. Grant took a step to the right, exposing me to everyone.

"Hi," I waved at my friends.

"Liz!" Cammie and Macey both ran up to me and wrapped their arms around me in a tight hug.

"Squeezing to death is very possible," I managed to get out.

They both released me. "We're just happy to see you."

I nodded and gestured to Zach. "So, what were you discussing?"

"Zach's evil brother," Macey answered.

I snickered a bit and shook my head.

"What?" Cammie asked.

"We've met actually," I informed them.

Zach suddenly became interested in what I was saying and pushed Macey aside. "What did he say?"

"Random things," I exclaimed.

"Like what?" He pushed.

"Mostly what I took to be the ramblings of a mad man, but he did also speak about another location with his henchmen. Japan. I think that's where Bex and Jonas are."

Zach cursed under his breath in Russian and turned his back to me.

"We have to go now." I could tell he knew something. Not just because of the Russian, but he had that look in his eyes.

Zach, Cammie, and Macey all descended into their rooms to pack, leaving Grant and I alone.

"What were you going to say?" I asked him suddenly.

"What?" He asked.

"While we were walking you were going to say something," I reminded him. "And please don't avoid the question."

That same look from earlier appeared on his face and he sighed. "I think I may have developed feelings for you."

Grant seemed to have moved closer to me as he said the words and he was now only an inch or two away from my face.

"Did you guys see-," Cammie began to say as she entered the room.

Grant immediately took a step away from me and looked at her.

"Did I interrupt something?" she asked.

"No," Grant gave me one last look before returning his eyes to Cammie. "Nothing at all."

He walked past Cammie and left the room.

"Liz," Cammie had that look on her face that said she wasn't going to let me leave until I told her the truth.

I shrugged. "I'm as in the dark as you."

I walked past her and as I left I heard her mutter, "What is it with all these secrets?"