A/N: Hello all, and as always thank you for reading!
Right... On with the next chapter. Things are (finally!) moving forward now, and it looks scarily like Saint Jimmy wants to actually help...
Hope you enjoy (and... y'know, reviews are always nice :) )
Title from this chapter comes from the beautiful American Idiot track "Are We The Waiting"
As much as I wish I could claim otherwise, nope, I don't own any of the boys ;)
Chapter 14 - Lost and Found, City Bound
Fun Ghoul was still in the small room. Somewhere along the line of his memories he'd sunk to the floor, knees up, face buried. He tried not to think how similar his position was to the one he'd found Party Poison in the previous day. And all because of the same damn person. Not that Saint Jimmy had done anything half as bad to him as he had to Party Poison.
What'd he done, really? What'd happened? NO! He didn't want to know!
Saint Jimmy was right about one thing, though, he had stepped in as leader. And he needed to be at least half as strong as Party Poison. He needed to out there, with the others, coming up with a plan. He needed to fucking pull himself together, get off the damn floor and out of this fucking room! He'd just stood up, renewed determination surging it's way through him, when the door suddenly opened. "There you are." Jet Star was smiling slightly, looking relieved. Then, with a small frown, "Everything alright?" Fun Ghoul nodded. "Only… Everyone's wondering where you were. Rave was getting worried." Oh shit. Rave. As if he needed to give her, give any of them something else to worry about. "How is she?" Fun Ghoul asked, carefully, "Without…" "Better than you'd think." Jet Star told him. "I think her and Kid talked this morning. Whatever it was about… Those two are ready. Ready for… Whatever. Whatever it takes to get Poison back." Fun Ghoul found a smile on his lips, surprised at how easy it was. "So am I." Jet Star nodded, just slightly. "That makes four of us then."
The Killjoys were all gathered together. Fun Ghoul had laid out the most detailed map of the heart of the city on one table. Him and Jet Star were going over it, figuring out a route, preferably one that wouldn't get them spotted before they could get where they needed. On the next table, weapons were spread out, Kobra Kid currently going through them, cleaning and checking them methodically. On the opposite side, another map, this one a blueprint of BL/Ind's head quarters. They knew Party Poison was going to be somewhere in there. Rave kept looking over it. Trying to think practically, trying not to wonder what was happening to him in there. All four of them chipping in with ideas, slowly forming a plan. They'd put the stereo on, quietly in the background, listening out for broadcasts. They knew where they were heading, but any information they could get would be helpful. All they'd heard so far was the same distress call.
Then, after what seemed like a hundred times of the same thing, a different one. Kobra Kid practically pounced on the stereo, turning it up so they could all hear. They listened in cold silence.
"ALRIGHT, MOTORBABIES, WE FINALLY GOT SOME NEWS, THOUGH I GOTTA TELL YA, IT AIN'T PRETTY. LOOKS LIKE OUR PARTY POISON IS HOLED UP, CAST DOWN AND BEING PUT THROUGH HELL. THEY WANT SOMETHING FROM HIM, THEY WANT IT BAD, AND THEY'RE NOT LETTING UP UNTIL THEY GET IT. FROM WHAT WE'RE GETTING, I'M SURPRISED WE CAN'T HEAR HIM FROM HERE. KILLJOYS, WE HOPE YOU'RE FUCKING RUNNING."
After it was done, Kobra Kid was the first to speak. His voice was flat, stunned. "They're torturing him."
"We knew they would be." Fun Ghoul said, deceptively calmly, as he turned back to the map. "Did you not fucking hear me, Ghoul?" Kobra Kid snapped. "I said: They. Are. Torturing him! How can you just-""Kid!" Fun Ghoul faced him, trying to hide his frustration. "I know. I heard you. I heard the broadcast. Do not think that I don't care, because I fucking do. But we need to focus." For a second it looked like Kobra Kid was going to lash out, start a fight. All his fear, and worry and nervousness was building up to something dangerous. But, finally, letting out a sigh, he nodded. "I know." Fun Ghoul reached out, hand on his shoulder. "We'll get him back, alright? And you know Poison, he's a fighter. He'll be fighting with all he's got." Again, Kobra Kid nodded, and went back to his place at the table.
Another fifteen minutes, and they thought they had it. "Ok." Fun Ghoul said, settling onto the end of one of the benches, looking closely at the map one last time. "So this is the smartest way of getting there. And if whoever's driving does it fast, it'll also be the quickest." The rest of them crowded round, watching Fun Ghoul's finger quickly tracing out the route. "I'll drive." Kobra Kid insisted. Fun Ghoul looked behind him, where Kobra Kid was leaning over the top of the bench, then nodded at him. Laying out the blueprints now, over the top of the map, Fun Ghoul frowned. "Our main problem is we don't know where they're gonna be keeping him."
"The cells, surely?" Jet Star said, pointing to the lowest level. Fun Ghoul shook his head, while, behind him, Kobra Kid grinned. "They're not that stupid to try that again. Not after last time."
Last time. When they'd all been caught. Party Poison had been the first to break out, then broke the others out. They'd killed a lot of Dracs, and caused a lot of damage that day.
"Who's to say they haven't upped security?" Jet Star said. Fun Ghoul nodded. "We'll check everywhere. We'll need to split up." No one liked the sound of that, but they all agreed. The quicker they could get to Party Poison, the better. "Unfortunately." Fun Ghoul continued. "There's only one way in." His finger tapping the blueprint. "Main entrance." Again, none of them liked it, but they all knew it was all they had. "Alright." Fun Ghoul said, at least sounding confident. "Let's get moving." A nod from everyone, all about to get up when, from the other side of the diner, "That's a fucking stupid plan." They all turned to glare at Saint Jimmy, it was Kobra Kid who told him, simply, "No one cares what you think." Saint Jimmy gave a small, un-amused laugh, while rolling his eyes, "Then you're all fucking stupid." with a shrug. "But, hey, if you want to get Cherry Top killed, by all means, go ahead."
"What the fuck does that mean?" Kobra Kid demanded. Getting up out of his seat now, Saint Jimmy walked towards him, saying, very carefully, "It means, Kiddie, that if you go ahead with this half-assed, gung-ho fucking plan, the powers that be will see you fucking coming. Will know what, or rather who you are coming for. At the very least they will move him further into the complex, cutting you fuckers down before you can get to him. Or, more likely. They'll execute him as soon as they see you on the fucking premises!" A small grin. "And then cut all you fuckers down." A few nervous glances. Jet Star finally said, "I hate to say it but… He's kinda got a point." Turning his attention on him now, Kobra Kid snapped, "So what're you saying? We don't even fucking try? We can't just leave Poison there!"
"No one's saying that, Kid." Fun Ghoul said, calmly. But Saint Jimmy was off again. "Oh. Hold on. I'm sorry. There's a much more likely course they'd take. They would wait until you got to him, then kill him in front of you." Again, Saint Jimmy paused. Finally added, "And then cut all you fuckers down."
"Saint!" Fun Ghoul snapped. "You're not fucking helping so shut the fuck up!" Saint Jimmy smirked back at him. He was so fucking pleased with himself, loving every second, wasn't he? "I don't care how stupid it is." Kobra Kid said, determinedly. "We've got to try."
"I'm sorry, Kid." Fun Ghoul told him, gently. "But Saint's right, if we go in like this…""Then we find another way in!" Kobra Kid yelled at him. "There is no other way!" Fun Ghoul shouted right back.
"Well." Saint Jimmy said. "That's not true." And, again, everyone turned to look at him, stunned. "What?" Jet Star asked, acting as the voice of everyone. Saint Jimmy shrugged. "There's another way in." He stated, calmly.
"And it didn't occur to you to mention this before?" Saint Jimmy rolled his eyes at Jet Star. "Oh, cool it. I'm telling you now, aren't I? So, we're all agreed, we want Cherry Top back, alive, right?" Then, striding towards the table, "Let me see that fucking map."
It took longer to come up with a new plan. Mainly because everyone was so busy arguing with Saint Jimmy, who seemed not to want to be completely cooperative.
"Right. Well. Obviously, we're gonna need someone to go out the front. Act as a distraction." Fun Ghoul was already shaking his head before Saint Jimmy was even done talking. "No. No way Saint. It's too risky. You said it yourself." Saint Jimmy just looked at him. "Do you want Cherry Top back or what? It won't be for long and-""I'll do it." Kobra Kid said. Saint Jimmy grinned, while Fun Ghoul stared at him, in shock. "No fucking way, Kid." He told him. Looking up, meeting Fun Ghoul's eyes steadily, Kobra Kid replied. "He's my brother. I'll take the risk." Fun Ghoul was shaking his head, but Saint Jimmy was back on a roll. "Great! So, Kiddie-"
"No." Fun Ghoul cut in again, forcefully, staring between the two of them. "Saint. Kid. This isn't happening. Not like this." An accusing glare at Saint Jimmy. "You figure out something else." Looking down at the map again, Saint Jimmy shrugged. "Fine. Guess it wasn't really necessary anyway." Fun Ghoul just managed to hold back a growl. Just. "Stop fucking around Saint." This was ridiculous. They were wasting time. The longer they were here, talking, the longer Party Poison… What're they doing to him?
Saint Jimmy frowned at him. "Who's fucking around?" He demanded. "I'm thinking! Brainstorming. Not my fault if you fuckers can't come up with a half decent plan between you.""Put it down to Poison always being the one to make the plans." Jet Star said. It wasn't even remotely true. Plans and missions had always been discussed by them all. But they were missing something. An extra spark. Aiming his attention Jet Star's way, Saint Jimmy beamed. "Knew I liked him for a reason." Then, with a quick look and a subtle wink at Fun Ghoul he muttered, "Well. More than one reason." Fun Ghoul felt himself shiver and boil at those words. But no one else had heard, and Saint Jimmy knew it. Fun Ghoul couldn't react. Especially when Saint Jimmy was helping them. Helping them get Party Poison back.
That was the important thing. The only thing that mattered.
"Oh, also, your plan for finding Cherry Top sucks too. It'll take too fucking long." Saint Jimmy said, just as they were packing everything up. The Killjoys had decided they were gonna try and go back to salvage the car, the three of them going, hoping they could fix it quicker between them. They all at least had a basic knowledge of cars, so it shouldn't be a problem. Though they knew this would take time, going back for the car rather than using the one they had, there was a lot of stuff in that car that they might need. And… Somehow, though none of them could explain why, they knew it just wouldn't be right if they didn't have their car for this. It wasn't quite sentiment, more… Statement. "We're the enemy. Imagination is the ammunition."
At Saint Jimmy's latest comment, Jet Star looked back at him, the only one with any kind of patience left for him. "And I suppose you've got a better one?"
"Of course I fucking do." Saint Jimmy replied, proudly. "Care to share it?" Fun Ghoul asked, bluntly. Saint Jimmy grinned. "Oh… Now, you'll just have to wait and see." Fun Ghoul shook his head, frustrated, then, to everyone else, "Alright, we going?"
"Um…" Rave said, nervously, she was biting her lip, and glancing nervously at Saint Jimmy. "Actually, guys, I think I kinda wanna run through the plan with Jimmy again. Y'know, just-""Rave." Fun Ghoul cut in, stepping closer, gently taking her hand. "I know you're worried, we all are, but…"
"Just let me talk it through, Ghoul, please? If I have it all clear in my head, I'll feel more confident about it." Fun Ghoul nodded, but still he hesitated, looking to Saint Jimmy. Rave caught the look. "Please, don't mistrust me, Ghoul. Not now." Not when my heart is breaking with worry over the person I love most. Fun Ghoul shook his head, smiled slightly. "I don't mistrust you." He told her. Then, pulling her quickly into a hug, he said, "Alright. We'll be back soon. You and Saint be outside and ready to leave as soon as we get back." Rave nodded. "We will be." She promised. "Be quick, boys, please?" As they left, they promised they would.
The thought of letting them out of her sight terrified her. But… She had to talk to Saint Jimmy, and what she wanted to ask him… She wasn't sure she wanted the Killjoys hearing the answer.
"Couldn't wait to be alone with me again, huh?" Saint Jimmy grinned at her. Rave ignored him, her eyes going to the blueprints to BL/ind. "Jimmy…" She said, carefully, "How do you know that stuff… About getting into BL/ind?" Saint Jimmy shrugged, and still with that grin. "You know me, sweetheart." Switching her focus, to him now, "Jimmy…" She said, warningly. With a roll of his eyes and another little shrug, Saint Jimmy finally came up with, "Let's just say… When your original income dries up, you gotta find a new product." Rave felt cold, what did Saint Jimmy mean by that? "Jimmy… Please say you're not telling me…""I always was a good thief." Saint Jimmy cut in, proudly. Staring, wide eyed, it took Rave a couple of seconds to fully understand what he was saying. "You're stealing from them? Jimmy! Do you know how fucking crazy-?""Hey, hey, c'mon. I know what I'm doing, I'm always careful." Saint Jimmy assured, looking almost hurt that Rave had thought otherwise. "What're you even taking?" Though, really, she should've known. With a sly grin, Saint Jimmy reached into the pocket of his jeans, "What'd you think?" and pulled out two pots, Rave didn't even need to look to know what they were, though she still found herself staring at them. "Jimmy!" She exclaimed. "You are fucking insane! That's their fucking control pills!" Oh God, she felt sick just looking at them. She tore her gaze away from Saint Jimmy's outstretched palm, staring up into his face now, he looked scarily unconcerned. "Yeah." He agreed. "And guess what? Some people actually want this stuff, it makes them feel better." Rave didn't know if Saint Jimmy realised it, but as he'd closed his fist on the pots, he'd rubbed his thumb across the word 'better' printed on the side of it, just as he'd said the word out loud. "But. Sometimes they don't get enough. That's where Saint Jimmy comes in." That proud, proud smile, and arms stretched out, parody of wings, parody of crucifixion (with Saint Jimmy, you can never tell which he means). Arms dropped to his sides again, and Saint Jimmy continued. "It's supply and fucking demand, baby. No one wanted the old stuff anymore. No one wanted the dope, the heroine, the cocaine. And, anyway, all that stuff soon disappeared anyway." Oh fucking hell, did Saint Jimmy look wistful, missing the 'old stuff'? Of all the things to get fucking sentimental about… Saint Jimmy had already been close to Rave, but now he stepped closer, the smile not so wide, careful, comforting, Rave remembered that smile, from the first night she'd met him…
"It'll be ok. No one get's hooked the first time." "I dunno Jimmy… I…" "Hey, hey, it's alright, Saint Jimmy's here, I'm not gonna let anything hurt you, alright?" "Never hurt again, huh, Jimmy?" "Never again."
His dealer smile. "All people want." He continued. "All they've ever wanted, is an escape. These" opened his fist again, "are just the newest product." Trust Saint Jimmy… In the midst of all this shit and war, trust Saint Jimmy not to change one fucking bit. The next question was obvious, "Are you on them?" A small falter from Saint Jimmy. "What?" Rave rolled her eyes, sighed at him. "I'm asking you if you're on the fucking BL/Ind pills. C'mon Jimmy, you were always partaking in everything else you dealt in. It's a fair question." Saint Jimmy's smile was gone completely now, and he was avoiding her eyes. An obvious sign that she'd learnt long ago, Saint Jimmy was trying to avoid something. "Not right now." He answered, vaguely. Rave wasn't letting him get away with that. "Before, though?" Snapping his attention back to Rave, fire and malice in his eyes, he wanted to hurt her, another look she knew well. "I've got fucking news for you, baby, we've all been on them before. Even your darling Killjoys, even your fucking precious Cherry Top." It wasn't going to work, though. "I know that!" Rave snapped at him. "Don't you think I know that? It's the very thing they, we had to break out of. It's the thing they're fighting against, Jimmy. The control. I'm asking you if you've been on these fucking things recently." Again, Saint Jimmy looked away. Silence was Rave's answer. More than she needed. She wasn't surprised, but she was horribly, horribly disappointed. "Oh my God, Jimmy…" She groaned. "What?" He demanded. "You said it yourself, I've always sampled the stuff I sell." Rave just stared at him, looked into his eyes, and it nearly killed her what she saw there. Although there was still plenty of that fight and fire that she always associated with Saint Jimmy, she saw it now, right at the back of his eyes, almost hidden. A glassy look, a distance. He wasn't taken over by the drugs, she didn't think any drugs could take full hold of him anymore, not after everything he'd pumped into himself over the years, but it was there, just slightly. He wasn't under their control, this control was self built, and possibly more terrifying for it. "You don't even see how it's worse, do you?" She asked, knowing he didn't. He didn't see any difference. Rave shook her head, despairingly. "Just keep that fucking stuff away from the Killjoys." She told him. The grin was back, "Worried they'd be tempted?" Saint Jimmy asked. Again, Rave shook her head. "Worried about what they'll do to you when they find out you're just as blind as the people we're fighting against." She turned away from him then, heading towards the door, who knew how long the Killjoys would take to get back, but Rave had no intention of missing them when they did. She wasn't going to make them wait one second for her. She'd barely gone a couple of steps though, when she felt a sharp tug at her elbow, Saint Jimmy, yanking her back, turning her around, looking furious (hurt?). "Hey. What the fuck?" He demanded. "You're fucking judging me for this?" Oh wow, he actually was hurt, wasn't he? Fucking hell… "Look. It's not like it's often or anything." Words of a junkie, Rave knew them well. Heard them from Saint Jimmy enough times. Heard them leave her own mouth enough times. "I've got shit I want to forget." Oh! The fucking classic line! Rave rounded on him, shrugging out of his grasp. "And you think we don't?" She demanded. "You think Kid's life has been perfect? That Ghoul's never had anything he wanted to get away from? That Jet hasn't? You really think Poison doesn't have stuff he wants to fucking forget? Hell, you think I don't have stuff I wanna forget?" Like you, Jimmy, for so long, I just wanted to fucking forget you. "But we don't. That's too easy and sooner or later, you start forgetting yourself. Memories make you, Jimmy. The good and the bad."
As Rave headed towards the door again, Saint Jimmy didn't try to stop her a second time.