Chapter 25

Alexis and Danny stayed in Blue Bay Harbor for two more nights. She spent the day after her mission with Hunter, but once it got dark she again excused herself, saying she needed to think. He called her that night, and again in the morning. Both times she ignored her ringing phone. Tori tried to call as well, and Alexis eventually turned her cell off. She was folding up a pair of jeans when someone knocked on her hotel room door.

"Alexis," Tori's voice called, "I know you're in there."

Alexis sighed, but went to open the door. Tori entered the room without waiting for an invitation. Alexis closed the door and reluctantly turned to face her cousin. The blonde girl was examining the room and its contents. Maps were laid out on the desk, and half-packed suitcases were on the bed.

"So you're really leaving." Tori stated.

"Yeah." Alexis replied.

"What about Hunter?"

"I was gonna go tell him soon."

"Don't bother, he figured it out." Tori told her.
Alexis exhaled slowly. "Of course he did."

"So, where are you going to go?" Tori asked after a brief silence.

"Fire spreads where the wind takes it." Alexis said while returning to packing.

"That's poetic." Tori remarked. "Or it could just spreads to what it can burn."

"... Ouch."

Tori sighed. "'Lexis, I'm just trying to tell you, leaving is not a good idea."

"Well good thing it's not your idea then." Alexis said.

"Why are you so dead set on going? What is so bad about being here?"

"Honestly Tor?" Alexis said. "What's so bad is every second I'm here I just get filled with more and more rage, and if I don't get away, i am going to explode."

Tori was quiet for a few minutes. "I get it." She finally said. "There are too many memories here."

"Thank you." Alexis said.

"But what are you going to tell Hunter?"

Alexis but her lip. "I have a plan."

Hunter and Blake were waiting by the beach when Alexis and Tori pulled up in Tori's van.

"Ready?" Tori asked.

"I am if you are."' Was the red heads response.

"When I leave with Blake, you'll have a ride right?"

"Yeah, Danny will be here soon to pick me up."

The two girls started walking towards the two boys. Blake, sensing that his brothers good by should be solo, met them half way.

"See you Alexis." He said to her. He held out a hand to shake. She took it but surprised everyone when she pulled the Navy ninja into a hug. Tori bit back a laugh and Blake tensed, uncomfortably. Tori wasn't in the position to see Alexis bring her mouth the Blake's ear.

"Break her heart, I'll break your neck." She whispered to him. She then pulled away and smiled sweetly.

When Alexis continued the journey to Hunter, Tori and Blake shared a look to agree and give the two some privacy. They loaded into a van and drove away.

"You're leaving." Hunter said once he got there. It wasn't a question.

"How'd you know?"

"The independent thinking and ignoring my phone calls put me on the right direction."

"Hunter, I'm sorry." She apologized.

"Sorry for what?" He asked, but she didn't answer. "Why can't you stay, and help us?"

Alexis hung her head, shaking it slowly. "I don't know, if this is me being selfish, or maybe you were right and all Volcano students only care about themselves. But know matter what I am, I'm a little sister and I'm going to find my brother.

"Wouldn't Josh want you to save the world?"

Alexis gulped and met his eyes. "Yes, he would. But twice now I've lost him, and I can't bear the thought of him in danger. So yes, I'm turning my back on a world that needs me for my own personnel gain, but that's just the way I am when it comes to the people I love."

"And me?" Hunter asked, surprising Alexis.

"Hunter, a year ago I risked everything to be with you, and only kept it all because I was lucky. I'm not going to test my luck when I need it." Alexis started to turn away but Hunter grabbed her.

"No one is here to tell you want you can or can't do anymore, 'Lexis." He said. "And when they come back, we can stop this pointless rivalry."

"I have a mission Hunter. I have to complete it." Alexis stopped when she realized what she just said.

"The last time you said that to me," Hunter recounted, "you followed up by kicking me in the gut."

"Then I'll try and be more careful this time." Alexis said. "Hunter I want to be with you, but a Romeo and Juliet romance never works out well." Tears started to pull in Alexis' eyes.

"Alexis, you're not someone who's driven by fear. Tell me the real reason you're doing this to me."

Alexis took a deep breath. "Alright. You're going to say it doesn't matter but it does, to me at least. I betrayed you. And every time I look at you I'd remember that. I can't live that way." Once again, Alexis started to leave, but Hunter caught her again. He held her by the arms, and she lowered her head to keep their eyes from meeting.

"Just tell me one thing." He asked. "How do you really feel about me?"

When Alexis met his eyes, she couldn't lie. " I love you Hunter, I.." She was cut off by the crash of his lips meeting hers. She felt reality slip away. At the last moment, right before she about to lose herself in there feelings, she caught herself and pushed him away.

"No." She said, shaking her head fiercely. "Hunter, please. Just understand I don't want to choose between you and the VA, so I'm cutting one option out. It'll be easier once you forget about me." She quickly began to walk away.

"You know I can't do that." He called after her.

Alexis paused for barely a second, fighting all her instincts. "Move on with your life Hunter. That's what I'm going to do." She forced out the lies without looking at him. It took everybody of strength she had to say the last word. "Goodbye."

Alexis ran to her awaiting jeep. Hunter hadn't noticed Danny pull up in the vehicle.

Alexis pulled herself into the passenger seat, not taking notice of Danny and his worried expression as he began to drive away. She crossed one arm across her chest, clinging tightly to her short while her other hand covered her mouth. She felt the tears begin to roll down and stain her cheeks.

Hunter watched Alexis leave. The truck of the car was filled with bags and he hated knowing it was probably everything the two had. Even more he hated the feeling he'd never see her again. "Goodbye Alexis."

They were almost to the airport when Danny finally said something.
"You okay?"

"Fine." Alexis said.

Danny waited another few minutes before speaking again. "So, Tori bought the shit about how the memories make you angry, what about Hunter?"

"He didn't believe the sister loyalty thing. And he didn't care about the guilt story. I eventually told him I was choosing the VA over him. I don't know if he bought it completely but he didn't follow."

"Well, there's no one left to trick. Are you going to let me in on the real reason we're leaving?"

Alexis sighed. "Josh was right. I mean, he's normally right but he was right this time too."

Danny waited for her to continue.

"I'm not mature Danny. Emotionally, I mean. I'm ruled by my feelings. I've spent my whole life being a spoiled princess, and its made me an emotionally unstable idiot. I'm leaving because I know I'm not supposed to be there."

"You don't know any of that Alexis." Danny shot back. "You're talking about how you were spoiled, well this is the most selfish thing you've ever done."

"Danny, I need you on my side right now."

"I am on your side Scarlet. I'm always going to be on your side, but you and I both know the right thing to do is take down this threat. Otherwise, you're worse than a spoiled princess, you're a a coward."

Alexis was silent. Danny almost thought he had succeeded in making her see reason. But eventually she spoke up, though her voice was warning.

"Danny," she said, not opening her eyes, " this is my car and we are living off of my trust fund. Either get out, or shut up and drive." Danny wasn't pleased with the arguments result. He wasn't happy with any of it at all. But he chose the latter option.

A/N- and thus concludes my first fan fiction. Sorry it was shorter. I hope you all enjoyed it. THERE WILL BE AN EPILOGUE!Special thanks to
70faithshumate
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Merderbaby
Ninjaxman
White FairyWriter
Books22
Elizabethtran12
Scarlet3008
LamoyaSmith vs blakeNtori