I do not own Cars or its characters, it all belongs to Disney/Pixar. I only own my OCs, like Kiara.
A/N: Sorry for not updating for the last... four months! I have no excuse whatsoever! But, before you kill me, read this chapter, it has almost 6000 words! Then if you still want to kill me... BRING IT ON!
Also, this chapter is dedicated to Nadia G.
No POV
Everyone shook their heads, leaving Kiara confused and a bit worried. No one had seen or heard from Gary since early morning when he and Tomber fought. Nobody seemed to care what happened to him, except for Rose and Kiara. Rose cared because they were siblings obviously, and after their little reunion, she didn't want to lose him again, even if she was still angry at him. Kiara cared, not because he was her father, but because she felt like he was hiding something from her. She couldn't tell if it was good or bad, but she knew that she still couldn't trust him.
Where could he be? The only thing I know is that he got pissed off and walked away from Tomber and Rose. But where would he go? Does he live in one of the Cozy Cone Motel rooms? Kiara thought to herself. Well... all the town's people did seem to know him before we came. Even if he did come here before us, wouldn't that mean he knows his way around here? It's not a big town, but it's not really small either.
Kiara closed her eyes as her thoughts took over her mind.
The other guy had slightly messy hair. He wore a black trench coat that covered his body. The thing that worried me were his eyes, they were bloodshot, as if he had been crying or something.
But why? When I first saw Gary, he was a complete mess... His messy hair looked as if he had been in a fight. His trench coat covered his entire body, and now that I think about it, that's all he ever wears... in public that is... But his eyes... I saw pain, shock, but most of all... dread. The weird thing is that this whole thing is a huge coincidence... at least... I think so. Is it a coincidence that Rose found Gary? Is it a coincidence that he is my father and just happens to be in the same town as I am? Is it coincidence that he just shows up when I am in desperate need of help from... myself? This just doesn't make any sense... maybe I should try talking to him, I've never tried that approach before, I always just assumed things. Although, this still doesn't change the fact that he left me. And what about my mother? I need to know what happened to her... I mean what really happened to her. My dreams could be warnings, but I still don't know whether I should trust them or not. Does Gary even know what happened to my mother? Could that be the reason why he left me? Oh mom... why aren't you here? Why- wait... I'm supposed to meet her at noon!
"Kiara?" A familiar voice interrupted Kiara from her thoughts. She opened her eyes and looked up to see Holley looking down at her with concern. "I brought you a muffin."
Kiara glanced down at the muffin in front of her, then looked back up at Holley who was waiting for her to take a bite. She hesitated, but eventually started eating it, causing Holley to smile. She sat down in front of Kiara as she ate. None of them said anything for a short while until Holley decided to break the silence.
"So, what were you thinking about?" She asked, trying to make conversation.
"Just... stuff." Kiara answered as she took another bite. She just stared at her muffin, not wanting to make eye contact with Holley.
It wasn't that she didn't appreciate Holley's company... she just wanted to sort out her thoughts. But Holley wouldn't allow it, instead she stood up with a determined look on her face and stared down at Kiara.
"Are you busy later?" Holley asked,
"Well, actually I was going to-" Kiara started, but Holley didn't let her finish her sentence or her muffin.
Holley grabbed Kiara's hand and dragged her away from the booth and outside the café. When they got outside, Kiara pulled her hand back and gave Holley an annoyed look.
"What?" She asked a bit rudely.
Holley frowned, "Oh come on! We got you out of that academy, you have the time of your life to be free and happy! So don't change back to grumpy Kiara." She said, which caused Kiara to roll her eyes again, but this time with a small smile on her face. "Don't make me get Siddeley!"
"Okay, okay. It's just that, whenever I have fun I always remind myself that this isn't some vacation from school. It's a real life situation that could possible involve life or death. As much as I love having fun and fitting in, I just can't help but think about the mission." Kiara explained with a serious expression.
"Well, I've got a new mission for you." Holley said happily which made Kiara give her a suspicious look.
"What is it?"
"Meet the town's people and get to know them better."
"Holley, I don't think that really counts as a mission-"
"Nonsense!" Holley interrupted again, then continued. "Kiara, they accept you for who you are, even though you cause certain problems." She said giving Kiara a knowing look which made her blush in embarrassment. "I think you should get to know them, and who knows, you might make some new friends."
"... I don't know..."
"Please!" She pleaded with puppy dog eyes, "For me!"
Maybe she's right, not that I don't like the people I'm with now, but there's a lot of tension between most of them. And besides, they're all CHROME agents and still have their own work to do. Even Siddeley and Stephenson don't argue all the time. I shouldn't be bothering them... Maybe meeting the residents of R.S. would be a good idea, they don't seem as busy as CHROME agents. Heck, CHROME agents work ten times harder! It's like that stupid motto I learned when I was seven. 'It's not to impress, it's all about success.' Gosh, why do these things rhyme?
Kiara sighed and rolled her eyes once again, letting Holley know that she would do it. Holley gave her a grin, then a bone-crushing hug that was sure to leave bruises.
"Great! Here's the list!" She exclaimed shoving a piece of paper in Kiara's face.
"Typical." Kiara muttered,
"What?"
"Nothing... Wait, were you planning this?" She asked.
Holley gave a sly smile, then said. "Maybe, maybe not."
Kiara scrunched up her face then looked down at the piece of paper.
Fillmore & Sarge
Flo & Ramone
Guido & Luigi
Lightning McQueen & Sally Carrera
Lizzie & Red
Mater
Mia and Tia
"You alphabetized it?" Kiara rose an eyebrow.
"Yeah, so?" Holley asked, "Do you have a problem with my organization skills?"
"... No."
"Exactly."
"That doesn't even make sen-"
"Go on, get going. Socialize!" She said as she gently pushed Kiara forward in the direction of Fillmore's tent.
Kiara rolled her eyes, but decided that Holley's idea was better than just moping around, worrying all day. And besides, it would be better if she knew more about the town's people.
Kiara soon found herself in front of Fillmore's home tent that seemed to have a nice relaxing glow surrounding it. She soon realized that they were lights coming from the inside. She poked her head inside the tent to find out that it was bigger on the inside than it was on the outside. (Doctor Who quote . fangirl moment, sorry.)
"Woah..." Kiara mused.
Suddenly she heard the sound of a disc being scratched and the sound of music being cut off. Kiara turned her heard to see Fillmore standing near what looked like an old music player, a gramophone. Sarge was beside him, with his arms crossed and stern look upon his face.
"Hey man, respect the classics!" Fillmore said to him while trying to fix his musical machine.
"Stupid confounded machine!" Sarge said angrily. "You need to stop playing those noisy tunes in the morning."
"Relax dude, you need to stop blaring out your bull horn in the morning." He responded, still trying to fix his machine.
"It's a trumpet!"
"Whatever, man."
"Once a hippie, always a hippie." Sarge muttered under his breath.
Kiara somehow lost her balance and fell inside the tent. Both Fillmore and Sarge turned to look at her.
"Um... Am I interrupting something?" She asked politely.
"Nah."
"Not at all."
Kiara just smiled sheepishly as she got up and dusted herself off. "So what are you guys doing?"
"Well, I was just doing my daily routine which consisted of push-ups when somebody decided to play their stupid music... very loudly." Sarge explained while glaring at Fillmore. He just shrugged and rolled his eyes.
"Respect the classics, man!"
"You already said that!" Sarge said getting annoyed.
"I wouldn't have to keep saying it, if you would just respect 'em!" Fillmore said flatly.
"In your dreams."
"The only time when you actually do respect them." Fillmore said as he glared at Sarge who just glared back.
"So anyway, what do you need soldier?" Sarge asked turning his back to Fillmore.
"Oh well, Holley said that I should socialize more... plus she made a list... yeah..." Kiara explained awkwardly.
The three of them stood in the tent awkwardly as they stared at each other. Kiara shuffled her feet a bit before smiling sheepishly at them.
"So... uh..." She started awkwardly. "What do you guys do? Like... what are you jobs in RS?"
"RS?" Sarge asked,
"She means Radiator Springs." Fillmore said in a 'duh' tone.
"I knew that..."
"I make organic, healthy smoothies and energy drinks." Fillmore said happily while Sarge just rolled his eyes.
"Uh... cool, I guess."
"Yeah, if you want to become a hippie." Sarge scoffed, "I sell military surplus."
"What does that mean?" Kiara asked,
"It means, I sell equipment that is no longer needed in the army." Sarge explained then saluted to no one in particular. "Rest in peace my dear brothers."
Kiara scrunched up her face once again.
Wow, these guys are complete opposites! Who would want to buy organic energy drinks, or old military equipment? Well... I actually wouldn't really mind buying either of both... if I had money right now. I wonder why they're even friends... Are they friends?
"So how did you two meet?" Kiara asked, trying to make the conversation more interesting.
"You make it sound like we're an old married couple." Fillmore chuckled,
"Heh... well I didn't need to picture that." She mumbled putting her fingers up to her temple. "Anyway, it's hard to tell if you guys are friends or not because... well you kinda argue a lot."
"We do?"
"Well yeah." Kiara said, "I mean, you guys never agree on the same thing, not usually. You guys always have different opinions and ideas. I just don't see how you guys are friends..."
Fillmore and Sarge both looked at each other while Kiara looked down at her feet uncomfortably.
Oh no! Did I say something stupid?! Ugh, obviously! That comment was so rude! Great Kiara, just great! Kiara panicked.
Suddenly Fillmore and Sarge started... laughing! Kiara gave them a confused look.
Why are they laughing? They shouldn't be laughing! Well... it's better than yelling, I guess. But still, I don't get it.
"I guess we do, but that doesn't necessarily mean we hate each other." Fillmore explained,
"We just don't agree on the same things." Sarge added, "But we are good friends. I've known Fillmore for about, what, ten years?"
"Man, it was way longer than that."
"No. I distinctly remember, ten years ago you tried selling me one of your hippie smoothies when I first moved in." Sarge chuckled a bit.
Story time? Kiara thought to herself.
"You still didn't answer my question." Kiara said, "How did you guys meet? And why are you guys even friends if you disagree with each other so much?"
Sarge and Fillmore smiled at each other before beginning the story of their friendship.
RETIRED
That's what his paper read. Written in bold letters by a black ink pen. It seemed like the war had only just started a few days ago. But now, the military had no use for Sarge. Not just because they didn't really need him anymore, but because he was growing old.
Sarge had been a good soldier. He was brave and fearless, but he knew that his time had come, and that he had to retire. So with one last salute, he left.
He wasn't sad to leave, or relieved that the war was over. He was just happy that he could do his part to help. He was still connected to the military forces, after all, they're the ones that suggested he open a military surplus shop.
It didn't take that long for him to find a small town in Arizona to settle down. It wasn't as big and loud as the city, but it wasn't exactly a rural area with farms either. It was perfect.
Radiator Springs. It had a nice ring to it. The name, the town, it was... relaxing. At least that was his first impression.
After all the paperwork had been done, Sarge had been designated to an old abandoned hut. It was a little small to open up a shop, but he didn't seem to mind. It was near someone else, a tent, so Sarge knew that he would have a neighbor. He didn't think of it as a big deal... well not at first.
The tent should have given away the fact that his neighbor wasn't exactly living in the same century as him. The ugly colours and patterns of the tent were just... disgraceful.
After a few hours of unpacking all his possessions, Sarge thought that it would be a good idea to sleep, seeing as it was already nightfall. Ignoring the bright colours coming from outside, he fell into a deep slumber for the first time in years.
Sarge woke up very early and decided to give the town a wake up call. Just as he was about to turn on the recorded tape of a trumpet wake up call, he heard music blare out from one of his neighbor's home... which just so happened to be his next door neighbor.
Sarge frowned and quickly rushed outside. There, standing in front of the ugly-looking tent was a man wearing bright, baggy clothes. He wore a bandana around his forehead, and a pair of round sunglasses. He looked as if he was stretching.
Sarge stormed over to him and screamed over the loud music. "What is that noise?!"
"What?" The other man shouted,
"I said-" Sarge cut himself off, when he saw the source of the distasteful music. An old music player. He marched up to it, and quickly turned it off, glaring at the man.
"Hey man! Not cool!" The hippie exclaimed, rushing over to the old machine, "Cool off, dude!"
And that was the start of their unusual friendship. As the months passed by, Sarge had learned the name of the annoying hippie was Fillmore. Just Fillmore... at least, that's what he went by.
Every single morning, Fillmore would blast out the old tunes, while Sarge would just glare at him. Not very effective, but at least the volume went down a bit.
Fillmore didn't seem to mind, but he did when Sarge would insult his music, or call him a hippie. Never in his life had he been called a hippie before.
It wasn't until one day, one surprisingly silent morning, Sarge had woken up earlier than Fillmore and put on a pair of ear muffs. Expecting the worst, he flinched as the clock on his wall striked six in the morning. But nothing happened. Did Fillmore forget? Did he sleep in?
Peeking out of the window, he saw a lime green-ish Volkswagen Bus with psychedelic symbols and bumper stickers on it. Behind it, he saw Fillmore putting luggage bags in it. Before he could go out and ask what was going on, Fillmore had already packed the last bag, hopped in the bus and drove off.
At that moment, Sarge didn't know whether to feel happy, confused or just neutral. He decided to be happy. No more early morning music. No more colourful flashing lights. And no more Fillmore! It seemed too good to be true.
But as the days passed by, he didn't seem as happy as he thought he would be. Flo had told him that Fillmore had to go visit an old relative who was sick. As the days turned into weeks, Sarge found himself being less happy, and more sad. He didn't understand why though. After all, this is what he had wanted... right? Well yes... but he realized that he missed Fillmore. No matter how annoying and revolting, his music was, that didn't define who Fillmore was. And even if it did, it wouldn't matter to Sarge. He missed Fillmore, even though he longed for the time that Fillmore would just leave him alone in peace and silence.
Later that night, Fillmore came back. But as soon as he entered the tent, that he called home, he noticed Sarge sitting on his couch. Once Sarge had heard him, he jolted up and saluted to him with a smile on his face.
"Welcome home soldier."
Kiara POV
"Wow..." Was all I said once they were done telling their story.
I somehow ended up sitting on the ground during the tale of their friendship. It was actually very interesting and a bit funny. It's weird because once they were done speaking all I could think about was Finn. Don't get me wrong, I did listen to their story, but the thing that bothered me was the thought of Finn... leaving me.
Like Fillmore had left Radiator Springs, Sarge couldn't help but miss his crazy and annoying ways. What if Finn were to leave me? He's already made a huge impact on my life. Going back to CHROME academy, and having him leave me... How would I feel then?
"Kiara?"
I bit my lip as I thought. It's eventually going to happen... Once Finn's done with the mission, he, Holley, Siddeley and everyone are going to leave me. They're going to bring me back to CHROME academy, and then he'd just move on with life. They would all move on... without me. A single tear slid down my cheek.
"Hey man, are you okay?"
Don't I matter to him at all? Yes... No? I don't know! But even if I did matter to him, he couldn't do anything about it. I'm still in school and he's already a top agent. CHROME would never allow me to leave school just to be with him. That's just stupid and absurd... isn't it? Clearly, CHROME doesn't let a person's emotions effect a dire situation such as this. And just because I'm... different, doesn't mean that I'm an exception. So why should I even bother thinking that Finn and I could ever be together?
And besides, Sarge and Fillmore are best friends, they're more forgiving. Sure they have their arguments... even ones about the most stupidest things, but they always end up forgiving each other because... well, they can't ever stay mad at each other. No one can stay mad forever.
Unlike me... I know I have a really bad temper, but what if Finn did something horrible to me?Like really, really horrible. Would I ever forgive him? Especially with what's going on right now? He causes me so much heart ache, I just don't know what to think anymore. But could I ever bring myself to be angry with him forever?
I was suddenly brought back to reality when the sound of a trumpet almost broke my ear drums.
"Ow!" I exclaimed, holding my ears. "What the heck what that for?!"
I looked at Fillmore who also had his hands on his ears. He glanced at Sarge who gave me a sheepish smile.
"Sorry Miss, but I just needed to make sure that you were okay." He said, then asked. "So... are you?"
"I don't know, why don't you ask my ears? Oh wait a minute... they're broken!"
Fillmore let out a little laugh as he helped me off the ground and dusted me off.
"No need to exaggerate, man. He was just concerned." Fillmore said gently.
Concerned?
"Why would he be concerned?" I asked.
Sarge and Fillmore looked slightly surprised that I asked them, but Sarge answered me anyway.
"Well, I just want to be sure that you're okay." He explained, then had a worried look upon his face. "Why, are you hurt?! Fillmore, get the first aid kid!"
Filllmore immediately ran out of the tent to go get the first aid kit that Sarge had requested. I rolled my eyes at both of them.
"I'm fine. I don't need a-" Fillmore returned with what I guessed was the first aid kit. Though I could have been wrong because it was the size of a giant luggage bag. "-wow, that's a big first aid kit." I finished.
"I got it!"
"False alarm, soldier."
"Dude, seriously?" Fillmore groaned.
"Anyway, to answer your question, Kiara, I am concerned because you're you. Like anybody else, if your hurt, I'd still help you." Sarge smiled,
"We'd both help you." Fillmore piped up. "We care about you, just like we care about everyone else."
I didn't say anything, but a smile grew on my face. Then I did the unexpected. I tackled them both in group hug. At first they were a bit surprised, but hugged me back. When I pulled away they were both smiling.
"Thank you both." I said gratefully.
"Glad to help."
"No problem."
"Well, I should probably leave, I have a whole town of people to meet." I said as I waved the piece of paper with the list of names on it.
"I still think you're a hippie though." I heard Sarge laugh.
"What else is new?" Fillmore chuckled.
I exited Fillmore's tent as I made my way over to V8 café for like the millionth time. It was starting to become like a second home to me... Well, apart from Siddeley's jet.
For the first time in years, I was actually excited to meet new people. I knew that there were some people who weren't accepting as Sarge and Fillmore. But at the moment, I didn't care. The last time I was actually excited about meeting new people was when I was a little girl. After being ignored, judged and ridiculed, I just stopped trying. I hated anyone who dared talk to me. Until now that is...
Maybe Finn was right... Maybe there are people who do care about me. Maybe, I should stop convincing myself that nobody cares and start reminding myself that I have friends now. Friends who do about me. Friends who... l-lov- love... me.
I can only hope that happiness like this lasts forever.
Finn's POV
After the little fiasco that happened this morning, I had retreated to Sid's jet where I found Sid sleeping away in the cockpit. I chuckled to myself. I wasn't really surprised, after all, he was busy arguing with Stephenson the whole morning.
I went to the back of the jet where the bedroom was, the same bedroom Kiara had stayed in when Holley and I had taken her from CHROME academy. I sat down on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. I closed my eyes for less than a second only to see an image of Leland. I quickly opened my eyes again to find myself in the room.
Leland.
I never got over his death. How could I? He was my best friend. Even though I met Siddeley first, Leland was the one who became my best friend. Sure, Sid was still my best friend, but Leland and I were closer.
We were like brothers.
After his death, I began having nightmares. He haunted them, he made me feel guilty for letting him die. And it worked. I am responsible for his death. Why can't anybody see that? Everyday of my life is filled with nothing but guilt.
And what's worse was that I didn't even attend his funeral. Siddeley obviously did, but he was hesitant to go without me. He was there for me, he knew that pain that I was going through. He knew how much Leland had affected my life. Without Siddeley, I don't think I would have ever left my house that day. I was even considering quitting CHROME and living a normal life. But Sid convinced me otherwise, though I don't know why I agreed.
What if the same thing happens to Kiara? I would never forgive myself if I let her down, like I let Leland down. And knowing that she's hurting physically and emotionally possibly because of me doesn't make it any better.
But I won't let her down. I won't fail this time. I don't want to go through the pain of losing somebody... not again.
Without realizing it, I was laying down on the bed with my hands folded while staring directly at the ceiling. I felt my eyelids droop a bit. After the nightmare about Kiara last night, I didn't exactly have a good night's rest. So I closed my eyes, convincing myself that I'd only sleep for a few minutes.
Flashback
"I just don't see what the problem is!" Leland said as he followed me into my office.
I rarely ever went into my office, but right now I just wanted get away from Leland and believe that he was joking. He and Siddeley had recently taken his jet to who knows where and had almost been killed. They had fooled around and didn't even notice an airplane approaching them. Let's just say CHROME was sued, but we were lucky that no one got hurt... well apart from Leland and Siddeley. When they both got back, I wasn't just relieved, I was furious. Leland had broken two ribs, an arm and had somehow dislocated his knee cap. Siddeley only broke his right arm. To make it worse, it was Leland's idea. I was shocked myself when he had admitted that it was not Siddeley that had convinced him, but the other way around. Needless to say, ever since then, I've made sure to keep on eye of both of them.
That was four months ago, and I still keep a close eye on both of them. Sid was a bit more cautious, but Leland became more reckless during those four months. He had just come up announcing good news, only to tell me that he was going on a mission alone... without me. Hence the word, 'alone'.
Of course, I protested. He never went on a solo mission. It was always Leland, Sid, and I together as a team. I didn't know why he considered agreeing to do it!
"The problem is, I just don't think you can do this by yourself. There isn't enough information to investigate from anyway." I explained, trying to talk him out of it.
"It's not an investigation! And that's the reason I'm going! To gather more information so that I can figure out what's going on! All I know is that there's some suspicious activity on that oil rig in the northern pacific ocean." Leland said, "Gathering information, that's all it is! Please! I can go by myself!"
"Leland, I said no." My voice became slightly stern.
"But that's not fair!"
"Leland, I just don't think you're ready for a solo mission yet."
"Oh, and I suppose you are?" Leland asked bitterly.
That's when everything went wrong.
"I never said that-"
"But it's not like you haven't already gone on a solo mission!" When I didn't say anything he continued. "I get that you're a higher rank than me, but that doesn't mean that you're better... Well it kind of does, but it's still not fair!"
"Leland, just calm down-"
"Why should you get to go on solo missions when I can't? I thought we were equals?" Leland interrupted me once again.
"We are." I said quietly.
"Doesn't seem like it." He said bitterly.
"Leland, I'm just worried, okay? After the what happened with Sid's jet, I just-"
"Bloody hell!" Leland cursed which surprised me because Leland rarely ever cursed. "Would you just let it go?! I get it! It was an accident and I'm sorry! But that doesn't mean I'm completely irresponsible and stupid!... Unless... is that what you think of me?"
"Would you just let me speak?!" I shouted, but Leland just glared at me. "Leland, I'm worried. I don't want you to get hurt. I just have a bad feeling about this! I don't think you should do this alone! The reason I go alone sometimes is because I know that I won't need any help. I know that I can handle the situation with ease." I explained, but it just made Leland even more angry.
"So you do think I can't handle myself alone!" He laughed bitterly to himself, "I knew it."
"So what if I do?" I shouted, "You're just not ready for this! There I said it!"
"Why am I even asking you? You're not my father! I'm a grown man, I don't need you telling what I can and can't do! I'm not a little kid, I can do this! I want to go!"
"No! You think you can do these things, but you just can't, Leland!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.
Leland stayed silent. I saw him glaring down at the ground, not bothering to look at me. Then he said something. Something that shocked me. Something that I would never expect him to say.
"I hate you."
He brushed past me and slammed the office door shut. I didn't go after him, instead I decided to let him calm down then come back when he's ready.
But I was wrong. That night, I received a message from him requesting for back up. I'd normally smirk to myself, knowing that I was right, but at that moment I knew that something was wrong. Although Leland had remained calm, I could sense the fear in his voice. I knew him better than anyone, and I knew that he was scared, even though he didn't show it.
That was the night that Leland had died.
They had gotten the remains of Leland's body and held a funeral for him at CHROME. Everyone had gone there to send condolences to his family who had just recently found out about his job. They didn't take it too well. Who would?
To find out that a close family member had died while keeping his whole life a secret. A secret that had killed him.
At least that's what Siddeley had told me. I didn't go. I didn't have the heart to go. After everything that we've been through. My best friend, my brother was... dead. When Siddeley found out, he immediately broke down and cried over the loss of his best friend. He had told me that it was his fault because he had agreed to take Leland even though he knew that I didn't know.
I was a little angry at Siddeley, but I couldn't bring myself to blame him. It wasn't his fault. It was mine. Leland would have never acted the way he did if I had just...
No... I couldn't let his loss be in vain. That's what CHROME had taught everyone. People die, and there's nothing you can do about it. You just have to move on. But I couldn't. Because ever since that day, I let the guilt eat me alive. Ever since that day, I never forgave myself.
If only I had gotten there in time.
If only I hadn't yelled at him.
If only... he were still alive.
But I hadn't. I did. And he's not.
It was all my fault.
Finn's POV
"Finn!" A voice called out, "Finn, wake up!"
I felt a pair of hands grab my shoulders and gently shake me. My eyes snapped open as I awakened. I looked around to see Siddeley in front of me with a worried look upon his face.
"Are you okay? You're were sweating and shaking a lot." Siddeley said.
I blinked a couple times, remembering what had happened before I fell asleep. "I'm fine... Just tired."
"Finn, you and I both know that's not true." Siddeley sighed, then sat down on the bed. We both stayed silent just lost in our own thoughts. Finally, Siddeley decided to break the silence. "I miss him too, you know."
"I-I don't know-" But before I could finish, I was interrupted.
"Cut the crap, Finn." He snapped, "I know you miss Leland. I know that you've never forgotten about him. And I know you want to protect Kiara because you think it will make up for what happened to Leland. But guess what, it won't."
"That's not true!" I protested, "I want to protect Kiara because I care about her well-being."
"So, you're not trying to make up for what happened to Leland?"
"Well... I..."
"Exactly." Siddeley sighed, then ran a hand through his hair. "Finn, I know that this probably isn't what you want to hear, but I think it's what you need to hear."
I knew that what Siddeley was about to say was going to hurt me... a lot. But I kept a straight face... or tried to.
"Leland is dead. There's nothing you can do about it. It's not you're fault. Things like this just happened. You knew that on the first day of being an official agent that you'd be risking the safety of everyone you knew. Whether you liked that person or not, as long as you knew them, they would be a risk. People die, Finn. You just have to forget about it and move on. This isn't what Leland would have wanted."
I stood up and gave Siddeley a death glare.
"You don't think that I haven't already thought of that?!"I snapped at him, aggressively. "Here you are, telling me to forget about Leland, when you are also telling me that this isn't what he would have wanted! I knew what it meant to be a CHROME agent. I knew every single risk that I'd be taking the day I joined CHROME. The day I first went to CHROME academy, I knew it meant that I had to leave everything I held dear. You don't think that I was so stupid to not realize that?!"
Siddeley opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when he looked at me. Then he finally managed to whisper, "... It's not your fault though..."
"Yes it is. It was and always will be." I said before walking out of the room, leaving Siddeley alone.
As I exited the jet, I couldn't help but notice Kiara. Oddly, she seemed very happy and was practically skipping in the direction of Flo's V8 Cafe.
"I will protect you Kiara, no matter what it takes."
Sorry, I forgot to mention that there would be a little swearing. Well if you call Leland saying... that, swearing, then yeah I should have warned you. Oops.
Okay, I know that the back story of Sarge and Fillmore's friendship is kind of rushed, but I couldn't really think of anything. So as the saying goes, "Well, that escalated quickly."
As for Kiara, basically in the next few chapters, she'll be meeting the town's people and getting to know them better. Hence the chapter title. I think that type of thing is called a 'filler' or something like that. I don't exactly know what that means... Oh, and for those of you that are wondering about the pedophile issue with Finn and Kiara, I just want to say that I already thought about that before I started the story! Anyway...
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