Hurricane

Chapter Twenty One: Masks

Tell me I'm a screwed up mess
That I never listen, listen
Tell me you don't want my kiss
That you need your distance

- One Direction
(Tell Me A Lie)

Zach stared out the window as Preston, Ethan, and Grant chatted. He couldn't stay focused. His life was falling apart at the seam and he had no earthly idea how to stop it. First, his mother was murdered in cold blood by his eldest sister, then his other sister has become even more turbulently emotionally wrecked, his mission partner was lying to him and mad that he'd rejected her, and something weird and very wrong was going on with one of his childhood best friends.

Oh and did he mention that the Circle had put a hit on his life? Because that kind of sucked too.

He growled just thinking about all of it, catching the attention of his two friends and Grant. Zach didn't even know why Grant was there. He had never rea0lly liked him.

"Zach," Ethan asked. "Are you ok?"

Zach just sighed and shook his head. It wasn't like he could talk about anything that happened.

Preston was watching him closely, which made Zach want to squirm. The whole lunch his friend had been studying him, like he was waiting for Zach to lose it or something. It was like he already knew Zach was hidng something.

"Just stressed with the mission," Zach said.

"Why?" Grant asked. "Everything's going well. You two even got invited to the ball thing. I'm still trying to worm my way into an invitation."

"It's a benefit gala," Preston said, rolling his eyes. "As if they don't already have enough money."

Grant shrugged. "Doesn't really make a difference to me. Ball, gala, same thing. Anyway what's stressing you about the mission man?"

Zach glanced away and his cheek twitched. He really couldn't get into all his family shit with them. There was no telling how they'd react.

"Is it Cammie again?" Ethan cut in. Zach almost sighed in relief. He could blame all his stress on her without any of them batting an eyes. Not that it wasn't true either. She was making him crazy.

Zach nodded. "She's a nightmare."

"I thought you guys were doing better," Grant said.

Zach gave him a weird look, as though wondering how he knew such things.

"How would you know?"

Grant shrugged. "I know we may not be best friends but Cam and I talk. Seemed like you two were getting along rather well."

"Oh Jesus, Zach," Preston said with a groan. "Please don't tell me you're sleeping with her."

Zach shot daggers at Grant. "I'm not, and I haven't, but thanks for the vote of confidence." He redirected the conversation to Grant. "I don't know what she told you but there's nothing going on."

"She's hot," Ethan said offhand. "I'd do her."

Zach rolled his eyes. "I thought you already had."

"Psh," he replied. "She barely let me grab her ass."

"You were at a CIA event, I'm sure there was good reason for it," Zach replied. But still the thought of Ethan kissing Cammie made him feel a little weird.

Ethan shrugged. "I've heard she'd a feisty girl. I wouldn't mind spending the night with her, that's all I'm saying."

Zach narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything, knowing if he did his friends would tease him about having feelings for her. And he knew better than to fall into that trap.

"Anyway," Preston said, steering the conversation away from Ethan's conquests. "Why is she bothering you so much?"

Zach shook his head. "She's really hot and cold, all the time. And she's always trying to one up me, and it drives me insane." Also she may or may not be trying to infiltrate the mission from orders of her evil mother. But maybe now wasn't the best time to mention that.

"You're still on that?" Ethan asked. "You two are way too competitive. Match made in heaven if you ask me."

"No one did," Zach replied dryly. Ethan shot him a dirty look.

"Whatever it is I hope you two keep it up. It's making this mission go by miles ahead of schedule. And the sooner it's over, the better," Preston said.

Zach glanced at him, something in Preston's voice had caught his attention. Preston was staring off into the distance, a troubled look coming over him.

"Why do you say that?" Grant asked. Zach looked at him, Grant had caught the strange note in Preston's voice as well. Maybe he wasn't such a bad spy after all.

Preston's focus snapped back into the conversation. "It's just kind of rough on my end," he said, glancing at Zach. He hadn't meant to, but he couldn't help it.

Preston was concerned about the stupid things Rachel Morgan had told him. He didn't think Zach was bad or would screw anything up. But that didn't stop him from worrying and being on edge.

"How so?" Zach asked.

"I just have superiors breathing down my neck about it," he said uneasily. "Apparently there's more to it then we knew."

Zach raised an eyebrow, that was the first he was hearing of this. "What is that meant to mean?"

Preston shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know. I don't have clearance to know."

Grant's eyes grew wide. "Damn, there must be something the agency wants bad then."

Preston nodded. "There is, and if any of us screw it up our jobs will be out the window."

"None of this makes sense," Zach said, having a hard time believing it "Why would they put any of on the case if none of us had clearance to know what it was we're after? They would've put more experienced agents on it."

Preston shook his head. "They didn't know what it was until recently. They knew there was something, but I guess not how serious it was."

Zach let his head fall in his hands. As if he needed more to worry about.

"I was going to come over later to talk to you and Cammie about it," Preston said.

Zach's head shot up and his eyes widened in alarm. "What? Why?"

His friends gave him an odd look, clearly confused by his reaction.

"To fill you in," Preston said. His eyes had taken on a suspicious edge. "Cammie needs to know this stuff too."

"But you just told me," Zach replied. "I'll tell her."

Preston pursed his lips. Zach was not behaving normally. Rachel Morgan might've been on to something when she thought he was up to something. Preston wanted to believe the best in his friend, but he wasn't making it easy.

"There's a couple other things I'd like to discuss with both of you," Preston replied, his voice level.

Zach realized that he was acting like he had a dead body at his apartment. He needed to calm down or Preston would quickly realize that something was amiss.

And he couldn't have his mission handler finding out he was hiding a fugitive and a senator's daughter in his apartment.

"Ok," Zach said, relaxing into his seat. "When's good?"

Preston eyed him. "I'll just follow you over there if you don't mind."

Zach swallowed. Shit. "Yeah, of course."

Preston nodded but didn't smile, apparently Zach wasn't fooling him. Zach knew Preston was suspicious, about something anyway.

Ethan and Grant were watching the other two closely. They were all spies after all and could see the tension in the air. Zach was acting weird. Preston was acting suspicious. There was something strange going on and you didn't even have to be a spy to know pick up on it.

Ethan said something off topic and the conversation was steered away from the awkwardly tense interaction between Zach and Preston. It continued on and Zach forced himself to participate and not get distracted by his looming thoughts.

At some point her excused himself to the bathroom and fished out his phone as fast as he could.

"What?" Cammie answered, her voice dry and full of indignation. "The boys not doing for you?"

Zach rolled his eyes in annoyance. He didn't know why his feelings were so complicated towards her, she was clearly just a bitch.

"Preston's tagging along with me back at the apartment so you need to get Macey and Tessa out of there."

"What?" Her voice was suddenly alarmed. "Why? Tell him not to!"

"I tried that. He's suspicious of something so he's coming."

"Where are they supposed to go? People might recognize them! Especially Macey."

"I don't know, but figure it out."

"Do NOT put this on me Zach," she growled. "They are your problems, not mine."

"They are now our problems sweetheart, so figure something out."

"Do not call me sweetheart. And Zach I can't-"

"Sorry sweetheart," he replied, cutting her off. "Gotta go. See you soon!"

He hung up before she could inevitably yell at him. He was grinning despite the situation, he loved making her mad.

When he returned to the table Grant had already bailed. Preston and Ethan were putting on their coats.

"We're leaving already?" Zach asked, hoping his voice sounded light.

Preston nodded. "Yeah Grant had some things to catch up on," he said. "We just figured we might as well get going."

"Yeah okay," Zach said, desperately hoping Cammie had enough time to sort something out.

"Mind if I come too?" Ethan asked. He sensed Zach's desperation.

Preston shot him a weird look. "Why?"

Ethan shrugged. "Zach's always boasting about his awesome apartment, I want to see it. I won't stick around too long though. Plus, maybe I can get some face time with sweet, sweet Cammie."

Zach sent him a look.

Ethan ignored him and shrugged again, he looked at Preston expectantly.

"Sure," Preston said, having no real reason to say no to Ethan. "Let's go then."

:*:*:*

Zach tried to hide the fact that his palms were sweating as they walked up the stairs to his apartment. He was grateful for Ethan's persistence to come along, for whatever reason it made him feel better. Less like he was hiding his crimes and more like he was trying to do the right thing.

He was praying Cammie had figured something, anything, out. He couldn't bare to lose his sister or the faith the agency had him, or his friendship and trust with Preston.

"No elevator?" Ethan wondered. "Some apartment this is."

Preston laughed. "Seriously Zach, how do you this everyday?"

Zach shrugged. "Don't really have a choice. You guys are just wimps."

"I am no such thing," Ethan said. "I'm the manliest man there ever was."

Zach rolled his eyes. "Alright E, keep telling yourself that. Maybe one day you'll get laid too."

"Shut up Zach," Ethan said. "Besides it's not like either of you are doing any better in the lady department."

"Yeah but I'm not trying," Zach replied.

"Ditto on that," Preston chimed in. They were nearly to the top of the stairs.

"At least I don't say ditto," Ethan muttered.

"See, we're here already," Zach said to his friends. He really wished they had climbed the stairs slower. He was afraid of what could be on the other side of the door.

He found his keys in his pockets and quickly glance back at Preston Ethan. He really hoped his life wasn't about to unravel.

The door was already unlocked and he pushed it open.

Zach hadn't known what he'd been expecting to find. He wanted it to be empty with no trace of his sister, Macey, or even Cammie. He could've maybe dealt with Cammie sending them somewhere and staying behind. What he wasn't prepared to see was Cammie, Rebecca Baxter, and tiny blonde girl sitting on the couches drinking wine.

"Hello ladies," Ethan said in what Zach called his 'smooth' voice. But honestly when he spoke like that he sounded like a predator.

Cammie glanced over first, her eyes meeting Zach's. He looked confused and slightly irritated. But Macey and Tessa didn't seem to be around so he couldn't really fault her. He eyed the empty bottle of wine on the coffee table and the full one next to it. Drunk Cammie, his favorite.

"Zach, Preston and . . ." She gazed at Ethan, as though she couldn't quite remember him. "Have we met?"

Ethan had the good grace not to look offended and cracked a smile. Cammie let out a little gasp.

"Just kidding!" her eyes darted towards Zach. "I remember now! It's nice to see you Ethan."

Ethan continued to smile, winking at Zach when Cammie looked back at her friends.

"And you Cammie," he replied.

She smiled, her cheeks tinted a bit red. "This is Bex and Liz," she said, motioning to the girls on the couch beside her. They waved, the small blonde girl looking tentative.

Everyone greeted each other, Zach staring at Bex. She had an unreadable expression that didn't look super pleased. They'd had a mission together, not too long ago, and he knew she didn't care for him much. Not to mention he was sure Cammie was telling her all kinds of shit about him. He'd never really minded her, in fact he respected her strong demeanor and tenacity.

"I didn't realize this would be such a party," Preston said, his voice a bit dry.

Cammie's eyebrows shot up in surprise, she looked back at her friends, and then to Preston. Zach was a little surprised by how realistic she was being. He bit the inside of his cheek, she was a good actress.

"Oh my gosh," she said. "Did we have a meeting?"

Preston glanced at Zach. "You didn't mention it to her?"

Obviously he'd called her and let her know, but she clearly wanted to have things her way. Zach didn't care (much) as long as Preston didn't find out about Tessa and Macey.

Zach shrugged.

Cammie looked at Zach sharply. "Of course he didn't," she said, and the venom in her voice was much to real for Zach to believe it was all just a show. "He never tells me anything."

He narrowed his eyes but didn't reply. He wasn't going to get into a fake fight with her in front of everyone, even though that seemed like exactly what she wanted.

"Never mind that," Preston said quickly. "Can we just go talk somewhere for a second?"

"Sure, we can go to my room," Zach said. He wasn't looking at Cammie, but her face had paled. Preston glanced down the hallway and Zach finally looked over at his mission partner. She was shaking her head vigorously. Ethan and the girls noticed but didn't point it out to Preston. Clearly, he wasn't meant to see.

Zach mentally cursed, they must've been in his room. Cammie would've offered up her room but she knew that Preston was suspicious about something, and that she would only make it worse. So she kept her mouth shut, at least up until she pretended to trip and crash to the floor with a loud shriek. She landed on her hands and knees. Preston immediately bent down to help her while Zach stood, his hands in his pockets, wondering, not for the first time, what the hell she was up to.

"Everything ok?" Ethan called from the front room.

"Yeah, Cammie just fell," Zach replied. There was laughter from the behind them.

"Thanks for the help," she said snappily to him, although she wasn't really upset, and she had purposefully fallen. But Preston didn't know, and irritating him was always fun. He rolled his eyes.

Preston lifted her to her feet.

"Phew," Cammie said. "I can't believe I tripped!" She was talking loudly. "It would happen on the way to Zach's room. Typical."

Zach realized what she was doing and smirked at her. "Funny, we've never had that problem before babe." He winked for good measure, both Preston and Cammie caught it.

Cammie's eyes widened and then narrowed. Preston glanced back and forth between them.

"He's joking," Cammie said to Preston, not wanting him to really get the wrong idea, although she had no idea what Zach had said to him about her. They were walking towards Zach's room again.

Preston didn't say anything, looking a bit uncomfortable.

"Here we are," Cammie said in sarcastic drawl as they came to the door. "Zach's room."

Cammie prayed to God Macey and Tessa had gotten a clue and hid in the bathroom or escaped out the window somehow.

She opened the door and let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, it was clear. She could sense relief from Zach as well.

"So what's up?" Zach asked, shutting the door behind them.

"Uh have a seat," Preston said, motioning to the space beside Cammie, she'd already made herself comfortable.

Zach had his own issues for not wanting to sit down on a bed with Cammie but he knew it wasn't exactly the time to voice them. So he sat down and tried to keep him palms from sweating.

"First off," Preston said. "This mission is a bigger deal then we originally thought. I already told Zach this but I thought you should both know."

Cammie nodded, pretending the information Preston was giving her was new. Which she supposed it was, since the CIA now knew whatever her mother knew. Cammie was sure Rachel was yelling at someone for that getting out.

"Why is it bigger?" She asked.

"There's some the agency wants, and either or both of you need to get it."

Cammie leaned in, this time intrigued. "What is it?" Maybe she could finally find out what Rachel so desperately wanted.

But to her disappointment he shook his head. "Apparently we don't have clearance to know."

"Then how are we supposed to find it?" Cammie has asked the same question when Rachel had asked her to find this. . . whatever it was.

Preston shrugged. "That's up to you guys. Either you'll know it when you see it or they'll eventually have to tell at least one of us."

"Is that all?"

Preston shook his head, he sucked in a breath. "I . . ."

Zach and Cammie glanced at each other, both of their heart rates rising, although for different reasons.

"One of the senior operatives on the case came to me with some concerns. . ." Preston trailed off again.

"Dude spit it out," Zach said.

"I know your mother is dead," Preston said, attempting to give Zach some sort of sympathetic look.

"Oh," Zach said. "Yeah, but I'm fine. I haven't exactly thought of her as mother in a very long time though."

"I know I just wasn't sure. . ."

"Are you worried I'm going to lose it or something? Is that what the agency thinks?"

Preston shook his head. "They're worried about your relationship to your sister. . . Tessa."

Zach swallowed hard, and Preston noticed.

"What about it?" Zach asked in a constricted voice. All Cammie could think about was how much deep shit they were going to be in when Preston found out that the aforementioned "Tessa" was hiding in the bathroom.

"Zach I know you care about her, and they know she's been calling you and. . ."

"And what Preston?" Cammie suddenly cut in, her voice snarky. She knew Zach wouldn't be able to lie much longer. She could see him sweating. "Zach hasn't done anything wrong."

Both Preston and Zach were surprised by her hostility.

"I'm not saying that," Preston quickly jumped back. Being snapped at by Cammie wasn't easy to just take; she had a bite in her bark."I just mean that if she tried to reach out to you in a more direct manner you'd have to tell me and the CIA immediately. She knows things we need to know, and she can compromise this mission as well as many others."

"She doesn't want to hurt anyone," Zach said. "She's not evil."

"Her track record says otherwise Zach."

"So did mine," he bit back. "Would they be lenient?"

Preston was quiet.

"Well?" Cammie snapped.

"I don't know for sure. My superior said they could get her immunity but only certain circumstances and-"

Suddenly there was a loud thump from the bathroom. Preston glanced back and Cammie and Zach mentally face palmed and gave each other a look of desperation.

They were so screwed.

Yeah... Sorry about the updating, I'm the worst.