XXV: Back To the Beginning
I'm sorry to say that this is the last chapter. (cries) I really enjoyed writing this fic. And hope you enjoyed reading it just as much. X3. There will be a sequel to this though. So keep your eyes peeled. But it will take time to get done. I will be trying to get my other stories and finished. But there will be one. So don't worry. Now without further ado here is the last chapter to Through the Hard Times (Feels Like Today). Enjoy! (sniffles)
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After eavesdropping on Lynelle and Gerald, Darrell couldn't go to sleep. He was too worried about Lynelle. Her and Train had finally gotten married. And Darrell had only seen Train around the town with a guy in a black coat after his parents were murdered. Darrell had never seen Train smile after he heard about Train's parents. But after hearing about the encounter he made with Lynelle, he saw Train starting to smile again. Even if Train didn't know Darrell was following him.
But as soon as the sun came up he went into the newly wedded couple's room. Surprisingly he saw Train up. Train looked at him and arched a brow. 'Why would Darrell come in here?' Train wondered. Nevertheless he followed Darrell out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and into the kitchen.
"What's wrong Darrell? Something happen while I was asleep?" Train said jokingly. But once he didn't hear an answer from Darrell he paled a bit. Something did happen. And he was going to learn from Darrell what it was. "Does it have anything to do with Lynn?" Once more silence was around. Train paled even further. 'This is not good.'
"Train…" Darrell said. He sounded reluctant to speak but Darrell knew Train had to know. "Lynelle was visited by someone last night. And I didn't recognize him." Train was white as a ghost now. He didn't even speak. So Darrell continued. "He said his name was Gerald Deerc. And the hint that he gave Lynelle to get his father's name was…"
"Spell it backwards. Which would be Creed. That bastard!" Darrell was confused now. Train looked up at him. "Oh sorry. But I was Creed's partner for long enough to know how his mind works. So if he said his name was backwards then it would be Ecneksid Deerc. And that Gerald kid said his last name was Deerc. So I figured out he was Creed's adoptive son." Train explained.
Darrell arched a brow. "How the hell did you know that Gerald was his adoptive son?"
Train smiled and scratched the back of his head. "Well if he loved Lynn enough then Creed wouldn't cheat. And by the way you said you didn't recognize Gerald only means that he doesn't look like Creed. Am I right?" Darrell nodded. "Well I'm going to confront Lynn about this when she gets up. Until then why don't you go back to sleep?"
Darrell nodded and went back to his room. Train was still in the kitchen sitting down at the table. "Why Lynn? Why wouldn't you wake me up and tell me about this?" Train buried his head in his hands.
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Lynelle had just woken up looking at the bright sun outside. She smiled and turned to look at her lover's face. But Train wasn't there. She frowned. But her frown deepened when she remembered what happened last night. 'What does Creed want with me? And why does he keep coming after me? It doesn't make any sense. Then he adopts a kid to make me even feel more guilty if I don't go back to him. Next time I see him I'm going to make him wish he was never born.' Lynelle thought.
She finally decided to get out of bed and stretch to crack her joints. After that was done she got dressed and headed down to the kitchen for some breakfast. But what caught her off guard was Train was sleeping on the table. Lynelle smiled and walked over to him. He looked so peaceful when he was sleeping.
Then she decided that he looked uncomfortable sleeping like that so she lightly shook him. "Train. Train honey." He stirred a bit but didn't wake up. She shook a little harder. "Train sweetie. If you keep sleeping like that then your back's gonna be killing you today." Train opened his eyes and smiled. Lynelle smiled back. "Mornin' Train."
"G'mornin' Lynn. How'd you sleep last night?" Train then stared wide-eyed. 'I cannot believe I just asked her that! I don't want to pressure her on telling me. Only if she wants to tell me. Looks like I'm gonna pay for my mistake.' Train sighed.
"I wanted to talk to you about that." Lynelle said as she was getting ingredients to make breakfast. "However, Darrell beat me to it." Train shot up from laying on the table and turned to face Lynelle's back with widened eyes. "But he did leave out a few details." She walked over to Train and gave him a piece of paper. Then walked back over to stove.
"A phone number? Whose number?" Train looked back up at Lynelle. "Is it that kid's?" She nodded. "That's it! I'm calling him and I'm gonna tell him to leave you the hell alone. You've already been through enough." Train said as he got up and wrapped his arms around her waist. He laid his head on top of hers. "When's he coming back?"
Lynelle sighed. "He'll be back in a week. I'm probably not gonna be here when he does. I'll be long gone." She looked up at her husband. "I'm sorry Train. But if Creed wants to find me, then I'll put up a fight. So we can't be found together for a while. I'll come back when—" She was cut off by Train's lips on her own.
Train reluctantly pulled away. "Whether you like it or not we're doing this together. And we'll get through it together. I'm not leaving your side for one second. No matter what you say. I love you way too much. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on you I never wanted to leave you. That why I was so furious that I couldn't find any trace of you for 3 years. So please, don't ask me to leave you. Because that'll be impossible." His voice was starting to crack and he was… crying? But the Black Cat never cries. 'Then again Lynn has changed me quite a bit.' He smiled at the thought. Voice still cracked he spoke again. "And don't even try to get rid of me. Because we're stuck with each other until the end of time." Train rubbed his nose against Lynelle's while smiling.
Lynelle smiled back. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." She pulled her arm back and turned her hand into a fist. "But I don't want to put your life at risk for my sake." Before Train could do anything Lynelle had hit him full force in the stomach. Knocking all the air out of him. "I'm sorry." She said as she pulled him into a brief embrace. "Just remember I'll always love you." Without another word she ran out of the kitchen and out the door.
'Lynn. Please… don't go.' Train thought as he saw his wife's disappearing figure. As he tried to get up a pain shot through his whole body. But before his body could hit the marble floor of the kitchen something caught him. He opened his eyes he didn't realize he closed. Train saw the form of his best friend. "Darrell, she's gone. Lynn's… gone…" That's all he got out before his mind slipped into unconsciousness as he felt tears escape his eyes.
Darrell looked to the door where Lynelle had run off an stared. 'This was not supposed to happen. Why has Creed come back?' He looked to Train. Then something caught his eye. He looked to where Lynelle was standing when she hit Train. 'Tears? She was crying? Now that I think about it when I saw her running out of here I saw droplets of water pouring out of her eyes.' Darrell thought. 'Please Lynelle, don't do anything stupid. At least for Train's sake.'
Darrell lifted his long time friend off the floor and went up the stairs. As soon as he had gotten to the top of the stairs he heard a car pull into the driveway. Still with Train in his arms he went back downstairs and laid Train on the couch. The doorbell rang. Darrell went to the door and cracked it to see who was there.
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Creed's phone was going off. He sighed and reached for it. 'Probably Echidna worrying about me.' He finally pulled it out of his pants pocket. "Hello?"
"Hello father." It was Gerald.
"Hello my son. How did the meeting go with your dear mother Lynelle? Did she accept or decline?" Creed really wanted to know what the answer was. But he would stay calm to show his son an example.
"Well, she's married father. And to that good for nothing feline, Train Heartnet." Gerald spat. He's the reason Creed and Lynelle broke up. It's all his fault.
Creed hit the breaks of the mustang hard. "What?! She wasn't supposed to marry him for another week! What changed her mind?! And wait a minute…" Creed paused and narrowed his eyes dangerously. "If she didn't come with you willingly didn't I tell you to make her?!" Creed was beyond pissed at his son. 'Why wouldn't he listen? He's going to get a real scolding.'
"I'm sorry father. But she seemed too sweet and kind. I didn't want to make such an angel come if she didn't want to. I know you're furious at me. But please understand father, I only did what I thought was right at the time." Gerald said unfazed by Creed's yelling.
Creed calmly breathed. "Where is she now? She's still at the location I told you right?" Gerald confirmed this. "Alright. Don't go back there. I will be dealing with this myself. Just go back to the castle and wait for me there ok? On second thought, go to plan B." Creed asked.
"Ok father. I will do what you wish. But just to warn you." Creed narrowed his eyes. "There is another man in that house. I do not know what he looks like. Or if he knows Train or mother. But I sensed his presence in that house." Gerald finished.
"Alright my son. I will be careful. Thank you for the warning. Je t'aime." He said.
"Je t'aime aussi. Goodbye for now father. Until we see each other again." Gerald replied.
Creed hung up and started the car again. He looked both ways and made a left. Then he came up to a large 2-story house with a lot of land around it. 'This place seems to improper for my Angel to be here.' Creed thought before he killed the engine and got out.
He put his sunglasses on to shield his eyes from the sun that would peek out of the clouds every one in a while. He walked up the nicely paved sidewalk. 'At least that damn feline did something right. I wonder what else he has made Lynelle go through.' Creed pondered. Before he knew it he was at the front door.
He didn't have to knock. For someone cracked the door open before opening it just enough to see a little bit of the inside house. "Can I help you with something sir?" Creed could have sworn he heard a little anger in the man's voice. Then Creed saw his eyes. The man's eyes were a death glare. Quite possible that it matched Train's.
"Yes. You can actually. I'm looking for a Lynelle Wolves-Heartnet." Creed spat out the last part like it was poisonous just to say. "If you would be so kind as for me to talk to her—" Creed was cut off before he could finish.
"There is no one such as that here." The man snarled. Seems to Creed that this man didn't like him. "I live here with one roommate. And I tell him that he is not to have anyone over without my consent. So if you are finished please leave the premises."
"As you wish." But before Creed even left the porch he heard a familiar voice call his Angel's name.
"Lynn…" The voice sounded muffled, yes. But Creed recognized it immediately. "Lynn…" The voice said a little more stern. A gasp was heard. "Lynn!"
Creed turned back around. "And was that your roommate? He sounded like he was crying. You better check on him." Creed was walking off the porch but stopped. "You know, I could look at him for you. I have a PhD as a doctor. I could take a look to see if anything is wrong with him if you like." Creed smirked as he saw the man had gone back into the house and the door hadn't closed all the way.
He walked up to the door. But just listened to the voices as he opened the door a bit more. Of course he didn't want to get caught. So he opened it just enough to hear the voices and see the faces.
"Darrell." A very familiar brunette said. Then he gasped. "Where's Lynn?! What happened to her?!"
"Easy Train." The man known now as Darrell said. "Now, what's the last thing you remember?"
Train sat up and shadowed his eyes with his bangs so Darrell wouldn't see him crying. But his body deceived him as his shoulders were shaking. "The last thing I remember is Lynn running out of the house and then pain shot through me. But then you caught me from falling. And that's the last thing I remember besides the tears rolling down my face." Train said a little rushed. But Darrell understood every word.
Darrell had put his arm around Train's shoulders to try and comfort the younger man. As soon as Train had fallen asleep he noticed the door was a bit more opened then he left it. He darted for the door so quick that he saw Creed just leaving the porch. "I don't think so kind sir." Darrel spat.
"But what ever do you mean, Darrell Thomas." Creed's and Darrell's eyes narrowed dangerously at the same time. "Yes I know who you are. You look much like your sister I met at that orphanage a year ago. But anyway all I'm looking for is my precious Angel. And since she is not here I will be taking my leave." He turned to walk away before he was slammed on the ground.
When he looked up he did not expect to see who he did. Train had him pinned to the ground. And Hades was at Creed's temple in a matter of moments. "I thought that was you, you bastard." The thing that surprised Creed the most was Train's calmness. "Hey guess what Creed. I've come to deliver some bad luck."
All that was heard was a yell and a gunshot in the evening.
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Lynelle stood in front of a large but familiar building. 'Haven't been here in 2 and a half years. Still a little surprised nothing's changed though. Well I might as well get this over with.' Gripping Zeus, which was in its holster on her left leg, she entered the building.
Suddenly a figure appeared out of nowhere. Lynelle did not jump nor did she cry out in surprise. She just stood there looking at the figure straight in the eye. Her face was unreadable to the figure. "Welcome back XIII. We have been expecting you arrival back here for sometime now."
It had started to rain. Lynelle just lifted her face to the pouring down rain and closed her eyes. "Never thought I'd be back here." Her clothes now soaking wet looking at the figure. Her face still unreadable. "I just want back in. By the way, I'm married to Train. So you might want to tell some of the erasers you have with you to back off." Raising her gun to a trembling eraser that was behind her. "Besides, I'll come with you to join back with the Chronos Numbers." Lowering her gun. "Do I make myself clear, Sephiria?"
Sephiria's smirk that she had disappeared at those words. "Of course. And we will also leave everyone else you know alone. Other than Creed Diskence." She growled at the name.
Lynelle smirked. "I don't care what you do about him. As long as you leave the boy, Gerald alone." The smirk lost and serious face. "Am I clear on that as well?"
"Perfectly." Sephiria said as she advanced on Lynelle. Careful not to make the girl run. "Now let's get out of this rain. You will resume your training once you have joined back up. After a week with that you will be partnered with Number VII. Seems he doesn't want to work with us anymore."
"You mean Jenos?" Lynelle said rather calmly. "Wouldn't surprise me." Lynelle then spaced out. As if she was lost in a memory. She quickly snapped out of it and looked back to Sephiria. "Let's go so I can get out of these wet clothes." Following Lynelle, Sephiria and all the erasers had gone back inside the building.
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"Darrell!" Train yelled as he looked at the man who pulled him away in time from Creed's shot. Train ran up to Darrell before he could fall face first on the pavement. "You idiot! Why'd you do that?! That shot was meant for me."
"Heh. Because Train. I wanted to. And you have a wife who loves you deeply. Also when you find her give her this. And it was made by me." Darrell pulled the necklace that he had been hiding and gave it to Train. It was beautiful. The chain was gold and the pendant. The pendant was a metal feather. But it was colored like an Indians would be. There was also something else on it. The front of it had a dove taking flight. On the back the inscription read: Lynelle, to the only daughter I ever knew. Here's a little something for you. It may not be much but it's the best I can do. Love, your mother Aine.
Train eyes widened in realization. "Darrell…" Train breathed out. "You're her father? Lynn's father? But then…" Thinking back to where Train first introduced the two. "Why did you call her sexy?"
"Hmmm. I was wondering when you were gonna ask that." Darrell smiled while blood trickled from his lip. "I did it so that way I would cover my tracks. And you weren't surprised when I said her name. Because you said it before I could. Also I didn't want her to get suspicious of me." Darrell explained.
'So this is why I saw a shocked look on his face when he saw her at first.' Train was torn from his thoughts as he jumped back with Darrell in his arms from a swipe of Creed's sword. "Why the hell are you still here? You don't need to be. So leave." Train's eyes narrowed into slits while giving Creed his infamous death glare.
"I will leave since I know that Lynelle isn't here. But mark my words Train, if you get in my way of finding Lynelle and bringing her with me then you'll pay for it." Creed's eyes narrowed as he was walking off. "You'll pay with your life." Then got in the blue mustang and took off.
"What a damn bastard." Looking back down at Darrell, Train noticed that Darrell was breathing very faintly. "Dammit!" Train cursed as he locked the front of the house, ran to the green Ford pick-up, and drove off to the hospital with Darrell passed out in the passenger seat, still breathing.
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Once the Elders were finished speaking with Lynelle she had gone wandering around the headquarters. 'Still the same ol' HQ. But I don't blame them. The Elders hate the thought of change. But looks like I'm back on my leash. At least Train and Creed can't find me here. They would never suspect…' She was pulled out of her thoughts by someone clearing their throat. "Yes…" But stopped when she saw who it was.
"Hello… mother." Blue/green met blood red. "I thought you would still be in this building. Hasn't since you've been here has it?" Gerald pulled on his mother's arm playfully. "But isn't this great mother? We'll be able to spend more time together."
Lynelle blinked. Then realized this wasn't a dream. Creed knew she would do this. He knew that she would come here to not put Train into risk. 'Damn him!' She thought as she was pulled by Gerald. "I'm sorry Gerald." She pulled her arm out of the boy's grasp. "But I have to find Jenos. He's the one I was partnered with. But don't worry. As soon as I get back I'll play with you ok?"
"Alright." Gerald replied sadly. But then his eyes brightened. "I'm sorry mother I just remembered that I have to meet the Elders and fill the position of Number XII." Gerald went running off with out saying another word.
Lynelle shook her head. "Kids these days."
"And you said you wanted to start a family with Train." She heard a familiar voice say. Lynelle whipped around and saw her partner. "Yo. Heard you've been looking for me." She nodded with a grin on her face. "Well let's get going if we wanna get this mission done as fast as possible."
They walked out the door but as soon as that happened they ran towards their target. "Assignment: Bring Chaos Rush to the Elders. He has been a record of killing murderers, robbers, arsonists, and etc. He's mostly like one of the Numbers but not part of Chronos."
"Well then, let's get to it." Jenos said as they made their way through the city.
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"Welcome to the Chronos Numbers, No. XII." Willzark congratulated.
"I thank you kind Elder. What is my first assignment?" Gerald asked.
"Your first assignment is to bring Creed Diskence here. Then after we are finished talking to him you are to place him in one of the cells that we have here. Are we clear on that Number XII?" Willzark asked.
Gerald looked shocked for a moment. Then his serious face was back. "Yes Elder. I will do as you ask." Without another word he left. And the screen with Willzark on it turned off.
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"Wow. Tough break." Jenos said after listening to Lynelle while waiting for their target to came out of his home. "I feel for you. But when are you going to tell Train." Lynelle suddenly found her shoes more interesting. "Lynelle," Jenos stared wide-eyed, "you didn't. But… But why? You should have told him."
"Jenos you don't understand." She muttered. Then looked up at him. "I can't ever tell Train. If I do then he'll hate me even more for running out on him. So please don't tell him. Let me tell him when the time is right. Ok?" She asked him. With a cute pout Jenos immediately agreed.
Then suddenly the door to their target's house opened and they took off. Making sure to be careful Lynelle put a hand to her stomach. 'Don't worry little one, you'll be fine. I'll be with you all the time. Don't ever forget that fact alright Jaden?' She felt a kick as a response. 'Good. Now Let's get this guy.'