Edited 10/10/18
A/N:Thank you, SweetDevil01, Ai Star, BDC, and the two Guest reviewers from last chapter! 3
So, I originally edited this entire chapter with the intention of getting it out on Sunday but nothing was saved on the site and I had to re-edit the whole thing. Crossing my fingers I don't miss anything. I promised I'd get this out quick for you all!
I don't own Digimon or the song Nightingale, by Demi Lovato.
"I can't sleep tonight
Wide awake and so confused
Everything's in line
But I am bruised
I need a voice to echo
I need a light to take me home
I kinda need a hero
Is it you?"
His hair was the first thing I noticed on the day we finally met, like a golden halo around his head, cascading over pale skin. The same golden hair I remembered from my dreams.
Once things calmed I tugged on Tai's sleeve, he knelt down in front of me with a worried glance. I got close, so no one could hear, asking if the small boy was foreign. He looked confused for a moment before he realized who I was talking about, viably relaxing now that he knew it was just a simple question. He told me T.K. and his brother were half french, so they would look a little different than us, I looked around my brother at the exotic little boy with wonder. I hadn't ever known someone my age who looked like him, like and angel, I thought. A golden haired angel, with bright blue eyes, just like the one from my dream.
The first thing I saw after opening my eyes was blood pooling into blonde hair, followed by the pain in my side, and a ringing in my ears. I felt someone gently pull me back as a scream escaped his mouth. The room was suddenly filled with police as they radioed for medics.
I lost sight of him as I was pulled out of the room and away from the scene, the startling vision of orange and red tinged hair, burned into my memory, the same scene from my recent nightmares.
It was something I'd always compared between the two, the biggest physical trait they shared, their hair, almost identical in color. For a moment I almost thought it was T.K. laying there on the ground.
I felt two hands on my shoulders before I was spun around to an officer that I'd come to know over the past few weeks, I saw her mouth moving but I couldn't register the words, a high pitched ringing still echoing in my head. She pulled me further away from Michael, and out of the building.
"Kari, hey, can you hear me?" Her voice came into focus.
I nodded, "Yea, sorry, my ears." My voice was muffled in my own head.
"The gun was fired close to you so I'm not surprised, we tried to wait and get a better angle, but he was about to shoot so we had to take it. He's down though, it's over. We got him."
"Is he-" I paused, turning to look back inside the building, "Is he dead?"
"He's alive for now, he was just shot in the shoulder, so he will probably make it." I heard ambulance sirens as she spoke, they became louder until I saw the lights round the corner, and the sound halted.
She directed them through the doors to the old warehouse. I still felt dazed as someone else started asking me questions. I heard another voice use the word shock. I looked down and saw for the first time the blood on my clothing, splattered along my arms, and shirt.
T.K and I ran down the busy street, dodging around people as we went, trying desperately to get to Kari. Maria, the officer we had been working with over the past several weeks, made the call to him after they caught Michael. They said Kari was physically okay, but out of it, and obviously shaken from the situation. They wouldn't go into detail over the phone, just that there had been an incident, the fear of what that might mean made my legs move quicker.
She was sitting on the edge of an ambulance when we got there, we both skidded to a stop, seeing her covered in blood, it was across her shirt, arms, and face. She seemed to register our gaze.
"It's not mine," her voice sounded far away. T.K. moved forward to wrap her in his arms, "It's not mine."
I forced myself back, watching him whisper hushed words of comfort to her, knowing that my place as her protector had been fully passed on to the only other person in this world I'd trust with her.
Maria approached me, "She said she doesn't want to go to the hospital, she just wants to go home, but I'd like to come ask some questions if she's up for it." She shoved her hands in her pockets, looking towards me, but around us at the same time. Trying to keep order of the situation as it continued to unfold.
"What the hell happened? Why did it reach a point of her covered in blood?" My voice was hushed, I didn't want Kari to hear me.
The police had been following us for the past month while they waited for Michael to make a move. They thought his narcissism would win out and he'd come for her, and turns out they were right, but from what I understood they were suppose to apprehend him at first site.
"He had a gun on her, we couldn't intervene without the possibility of him hurting her so we had to wait until we could get a shot, we never intended for her to be in any danger." She looked strained, I believed her, but was still frustrated that it had gone this far.
Not only had she almost been murdered, but now she was witness to someone being shot, and I didn't know how much more trauma she could handle. At the same time, I knew about tough decisions, and knew she'd been the only reason Kari was still standing here.
I took a breath, "Thank you for keeping her alive." I looked into Maria's dark brown eyes, as she placed a hand on my shoulder and nodded.
"Let the medics clear her and then we will get you all home." She gave my shoulder a squeeze before heading into the warehouse next to us, blocked off now by caution tape and a slew of officers.
"I thought it was you for a second." I studied his face, the curves and edges, reaching out and trying to make sure he was really there. "All I saw was blonde hair covered in blood and I knew someone had pushed me out of the way."
"I'm right here. We're safe. It's over." He brushed the hair away from my face, and pulled me close until our foreheads were touching.
I clenched my eyes shut trying to drive the memories away. "He's alive. They shot him, but he was screaming, and they rushed him away right before you got here."
"He can't hurt you anymore. I'm sorry I didn't come this morning. I'm so sorry you were alone," he ran his hands through my hair, smoothing it down, the hushed, calm, tone of his voice put me slightly at ease.
"It's what he waited for, me alone, so maybe it's for the best," I tried to rationalize with myself, but the truth was I did wish I'd have woken someone up, he didn't deserve that guilt though.
I pulled back and saw Maria walk away from Tai, he turned towards us to head over. I looked down at T.K.'s shirt, spots of blood covered his from touching mine.
T.K. made space for Tai, and he reached out but I tried to stop him, "You'll get blood on you."
He stopped for a moment, a pained expression crossed his face, before he put his arms protectively around me and held me tight.
"I don't care. I'm just happy you're alive. I don't know what I'd have done if you'd have been hurt," Tai said. His eyes clenched tightly shut.
"It's over," I repeated T.K.'s words. Trying to convince myself that it really was. Tai nodded, pulling back.
"If you're ready I can take you back." Maria said, walking towards us. "Kari, I'd like to ask you some questions when we get there, I'd rather not pull you into the station."
I agreed, just wanting to be home more than anything. We piled into her car and made the drive back to the apartment in silence. I kept my gaze down, but staring at the blood was making me dizzy, so I closed my eyes and tried to focus on the way the city sounded around us. They got him, I kept repeating to myself. Willing myself to believe that we were all safe now.
When we got back to the apartment I brought Kari into the bedroom. "But, I want to go to the bathroom and," she paused, "wash up." She finished, uncomfortably.
"I know," I said, picking up the damp towel from the floor that I'd had Matt put in here for us. She started to protest. "Please," I said, as I gently started to wipe his blood off of her arms.
She stood still while I finished her arms and looked confused as I moved to her neck, I knew she didn't know, she hadn't seen what we had. When I moved to her face realization crossed her features, tears welled in her eyes as I cleared her face of the blood that speckled it, they started to fall as I finished wiping the last bit away. I dropped the towel and pulled her down to the floor, into my lap, and let her cry, running my hands through her hair and down her back trying to calm her, knowing there were no words. I breathed deeply, asking her gently to follow my breath, and after a few minutes she was finally able to calm down.
There was a knock on the door and I told them to give us a few more minutes before we would be out. I pulled back and reached for the clean clothes Sora laid out for her.
Kari got up and took them from my hands, quietly thanking me. She changed, moving her gaze from the stained clothing the best she could. She pulled the tape off of her chest and hip and pulled a small recording device from her body, she'd been wearing it every time she left the house for three weeks now, part of the plan from the police. If Michael did show up they wanted as much evidence as they could get once they took him in.
I replaced my own stained shirt with a discarded one from the floor.
"You ready?" I asked, as she grabbed the recording device and turned towards the door.
"Let's get this over with," she opened the door, pausing, before heading out into the living room.
Sora, Matt, and Tai were seated on the couch, Maria was standing next to them in front of the coffee table, and we took the love seat across from them. Kari set the device on the table in from of her.
"What do you need to know?" Kari asked, looking towards Maria.
She was in her late thirties, with olive skin, dark brown hair, and brown eyes. She had slight wrinkles around her eyes, and mouth, but otherwise looked young for her age. She didn't seem like a typical detective, sometimes it felt like we knew more about the investigation than we were suppose to, almost like we were her equals instead of her assignment. She had a warmth to her, and a heaviness, like she knew how painful the world could be, and wanted you to believe she could keep you safe. She'd been assigned to the investigation right after the show, and had been following Kari in the weeks since, waiting for Michael to show up.
She was about to start talking when the door opened, I was surprised to see Izzy and Mimi walking in, they stopped wide eyed, taking in the situation.
"I'm sorry, we didn't call, should we come back?" Mimi, started backing out.
"No, come in, it's best if you're all here," I glanced up at Maria, curious as to why she'd have them stay. They made they way into the apartment and came to sit on the floor next to us.
I looked around, and for a moment was taken back to another time, when sitting around couches during harsh, and unfair, circumstances was normal for us.
"Michael was stabilized and is in recovery." Mimi perked up, ready to start asking questions, but Izzy placed a hand on her shoulder so she held back. "My hope is that his attorneys settle and this doesn't go to trial, at this point the amount of evidence we have is substantial, so it would surprise me if he pushed for the courts." She paused, looking strained, like she wasn't sure if she should continue. She looked between our group before her eyes refocused on Kari.
"The recording from today, it's … important that I address some things. You know I've been listening to everything except your therapy appointments?" Kari nodded in response, confusion in her eyes.
"He asked you to open up a portal?"
Kari's eyes went wide, she tried to compose herself but the rest of us didn't help. Sora inhaled sharply, Matt and Tai shared a strained look, while I completely avoided everyone's gaze. I saw Mimi clutching Izzy's arm tightly, I glanced up towards him but he only looked more curious at how the conversation was unfolding.
"He was acting crazy, I wouldn't be surprised if he had been on drugs, so I'm not sure what he was talking about." Kari finally responded, trying to come up with some sort of explanation.
"You talked as if you knew what he was referring to," Maria crouched down before taking a seat on the floor, reading the situation and bringing herself down to our level, instead of talking above us.
"I played along, I thought it was better to accept his version of reality as fact than try to fight it and make him angrier. It's not like it's the first time I accepted lies coming out of his mouth to keep myself alive."
Maria's mouth was in a thin line, her eyes down, her lack of response was as good as her telling us she didn't believe her. Kari was fidgeting with her hands in her lap, I reached over and grabbed one of them, squeezing gently, trying to reassure her that she was doing okay.
"Why does whatever crazy shit that came out of his mouth matter? He tried to kill her." Matt leaned forward, looking towards Maria.
It was Mimi's turn to react, unable to hold in her questions, knowing that she had missed something very important. "Wait, what happened?" She turned to Kari, for the first time really taking in the situation, "Is that – Is that blood in your hair?"
Kari flinched, she quickly explained what happened, Mimi's eyes glossed over, sadness and fear etched in them.
Maria gently cleared her throat, wanting to continue the conversation. "To answer you Matt, it might not if he settles, but if he goes in front of a jury and starts ranting and raving, she may have to be able to answer these questions," Maria looked towards Matt with a gentle gaze, not wanting an argument.
The room fell quiet.
Maria sighed, and pulled out her phone. "Ya know, I spent some time in Japan before being assigned here in New York."
We hesitantly looked around at each other, no one daring to talk, we waited for her to continue.
"Years ago, I worked with a small, but specialized group, where we got trained in fighting digital terrorism. I stayed in touch with some people when I returned back to the States."
Kari was squeezing my hand so tight my fingers had gone numb. Tai's mouth was hanging open, while Matt was trying his best to keep his face neutral. Sora, it seemed, had given up and was leaning forward as if Maria was about to tell us we were needed again.
"I'm sorry, but, what?" Izzy, blinked a few times, looking more perplexed than I'd ever seen him before. Over the years he'd started to be a bit more careful with his speech, wanting to make sure he didn't dig us into a hole, he held back from saying anything else.
"You may have been in contact with some of my colleagues." A solemn look crossed Maria's face, "I was sad to hear of the passing of one of those individuals, Diago Nishijima, he'd become a good friend."
We all looked towards Tai who's face had gone white. Matt slammed his hands down on the table, "If you know so much why are you bothering with all the questions."
She looked at my brother gently, "My intentions are only to help you all." She opened up an app on her phone. "This is the only current recording from today."
She placed the phone on the table, for all of us to see, as she deleted the recording. She picked up the recording device, dropped the small microphone onto the floor, and crushed it under her shoe. "Kari your microphone was destroyed today during a scuffle with Michael, before we got inside the building and close enough to gauge the situation, do you understand?"
Kari nodded, wide eyed, "Thank you."
"Izzy," She reached into her pocket and pulled out a flash drive. "I retrieved this from his computer, he was trying to find a way back in, but I don't think he found anything of substance. I deleted everything from his hard drive so this is the only copy."
He reached for it, studying it with skepticism, as she placed it into his hands. "How long have you known?"
"We've been monitoring Michael for three years."
"Three years!" Tai and Matt shouted.
Kari sunk into the seat further.
"You're telling me you knew he was trying to do this shit, for three years, and you let my sister be close to him?" Tai's voice was low, and dangerous, he didn't look at the group, his gaze firmly down towards his feet.
"We didn't know about the abuse allegations, we didn't know she was in danger, and honestly we assumed she was helping him."
Kari leaned forward, "He mentioned it once, way back in the beginning, when he was still hiding the worst of himself." Her voice was quiet, thoughtful, like she was trying to take herself back to that place. "He asked me if I ever thought about going back, I told him we couldn't so it was easier not to dwell on it, and it would only make me miss my friends to do so. He didn't bring it up again." She pulled her legs up onto the couch and curled closer to me.
We never liked to think about what we left behind back then. We made the best choice we could and closed the worlds off, so at least for now, no one could get back.
"I'm sorry for everything you've all been put through, especially you Kari. We try to stay out of your lives, we don't want to involve you all if we don't have to, you've been through enough. Maybe our approach isn't always the best, but if we bothered you every time there was a disturbance, we'd be bothering you a couple times a year." We looked around, curious about that, but she waved us off. "They always turn out to be nothing serious, or I'm sorry to say you all would know about it."
"I keep track of everything, I'm sorry to say, but I'd already know well before any of you." Izzy replied, confidently.
Maria smirked, "It's one of the reasons we don't bother you. After the last situation, we know you'll always know first."
Izzy looked pleased with her answer.
"Wait," Matt rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself down, and keep his temper in check. "Back up, who is we? Aren't you with NYPD?"
"Yes, but I guess you could also call it a cover. I still work with the other organization as needed, so I'm trusting you all to keep this secret, just as I plan to keep yours. Kari, I didn't want you blindsided by these questions, I needed you to be prepared in case they come up, but know that I will do everything I can to prevent that from happening." She got up and started to gather her things. "If you're being interviewed, and it does get mentioned, tell them he's delusional. There is no proof except his word over yours, and he's proved to be less than stable." She headed for the door. "I'll be in touch, get some rest kids. And Tai?"
He looked towards her, silent.
"Some people will probably be in contact. I know you're looking into politics, but we could use you, and you'd probably be happier knowing what's actually going on." She didn't give him a chance to answer. She walked out and quietly closed the door, leaving only the sound of her footsteps as she walked down the stairs.
My eyes settled on Tai, who's face was scrunched up like he was trying to decipher a puzzle. It was my brother who graciously ended the silence.
"For fucks sake," He scratched the back of his head before getting up and heading into the kitchen. Pots, and pans, started to clank around, I heard the water running and the burner turned on.
"Matt what are you doing?" Sora prodded gently.
"Cooking."
She looked ready to get up but decided against it and sunk further into the couch. "Hun, I don't think anyone is hungry."
"It's this or punch a wall. I'm evolving, please accept me." He wasn't trying to be funny, it was as honest as my brother had ever been, but considering the circumstances I had to stop myself from snorting, but Tai didn't.
He started chuckling and it was infectious around the room. Sora, and I, couldn't keep it together either, and once we got going, the rest of the room fell apart as well. Matt ignored us all, continuing to bang, and clank, around finding what he needed.
Tai wiped at his eyes, "Oh man, I missed you."
"Whaaatever," Matt dragged it out, smirking from the kitchen.
I hadn't noticed Izzy, as he took out his computer, and turned to the noise of him click-clacking away. Mimi was looking over his shoulder but bored quickly, and instead jumped onto the couch with Sora.
I looked down at Izzy's laptop and saw the flash drive inserted. "Anything in there?"
"So, Michael was lacking a most basic understanding of how, absolutely anything technology related would work. What's on here is a good amount of poorly thought out ideas, and nonsensical rambling."
"No one said I dated him because he was a genius," Kari shrugged next to me.
"He's always been very pretty, but not very bright, and that's coming from me." Mimi added seriously.
"While I'm glad we are back to the black comedy of this group, I'm still trying to gather that we are still being watched in some capacity, by now, several different countries," Tai focused back onto the thing we were all avoiding.
"I mean, after what happened the last time we were needed I'm not all that surprised. When I've gone into their system's I haven't found anything that should alarm us. If anything just think of them as backup, as I said, if anything comes up I'll know if there is danger before they do."
"Wait you've hacked into their systems?" Sora, stared wide eyed at Izzy.
"Of course, anything relating to the safety and information of this group, and the digital world, is my business. The only reason I didn't know Michael was trying to get in was because he would have never found a way in, he wasn't resourceful or smart enough to set off any alarms."
"Good to know killing me wouldn't have opened a portal," Kari said, flatly.
"Probably not, we'd need to test the theory and that's not really an option." Mimi smacked her hand over her face at Izzy's response, before looking to Kari and mouthing, 'Sorry.'
Kari's face went white, "I need a drink." She got up and headed over to the liquor cabinet.
"Make it two." Tai said.
"Three." I called over.
"Honey, Just bring the bottle." Mimi motioned back towards us.
Kari grabbed as many glasses as she could fit in her hand while balancing a bottle of whiskey under her arm.
She poured out four glasses before taking a long swig out of the bottle.
"Over here?" Matt walked around the counter and she tossed it to him before he did the same.
Tai, and I, shared a look. At least I wasn't the only one who cringed every time I saw them drink that stuff like it was nothing.
"So, what now?" Sora, and Mimi sat forward as Matt brought over the bottle, setting it by Kari. He headed back and grabbed the noodle dish he had been cooking in the other room, and passed out food before sitting on the floor in front of Sora.
"In terms of the digital world, and the group, I think we can continue on as normal. Tai, I would be interested to hear what they have to say to you. Keep me posted?"
"You know I will. I mean, I'm not even sure that's what I would ever want. I'm not looking to be a cop or some sort of secret agent." It was funny hearing Tai say that, fifteen years ago I would have thought that's exactly what he wanted.
"Maybe that's not what they need," Kari left her food, after mostly just moving it around her bowl, and sat forward looking towards her brother. "Maybe having one of us on the inside, advocating for us and the digital world in a thoughtful, and realistic way, is something deeply necessary. Maybe what they need is a bridge."
"A bridge?" Tai said, his mouth full of food. "What, like an ambassador?" He swallowed, and finished with a laugh.
"Actually, that makes a lot of sense, it would be nice to have someone speaking for us on the inside." Izzy agreed, finally closing up his laptop.
"Huh," Tai had this look of amazement cross his face.
There was suddenly an aggressive knock on the door. "You guys in there?" John's frantic voice bellowed through the wood.
"Yea, come in!" Matt shouted.
John, and Colin, barreled into the room.
"Guys did you hear? They caught him!" John said, excitedly.
"Yea, it's all over the ne -" Colin stopped, and backtracked into the kitchen. "Oh man, I'm starving." He started scooping food into a bowl, completely forgetting his message to the group.
Matt rolled his eyes, "Yea, we know."
"Did the police call you or," John paused, looking around and taking the group in, the half full glasses and opened bottle sitting at Kari's feet. "We missed something didn't we."
"Take a seat," Matt waved his hand towards the floor.
They sat opposite of Izzy and settled in as we explained the last several hours, specifically leaving out anything relating to the digital world.
After about an hour Kari excused herself to take a shower. Mimi and Izzy left for the night, while John and Colin stayed for a little while longer, I think everyone appreciated the lightness they added to the situation, and the distraction from the digital world element of it.
I excused myself outside, needing some air, because I hadn't processed the day yet. I'd been trying to steal glances at Kari but she had been engaged with the group, as if nothing traumatic had happened. I heard the glass door slide open and turned to see Tai coming outside.
"How are you holding up?" He placed a hand on my shoulder for a moment before leaning onto the railing and looking down at the city.
"Just worried about her. It almost doesn't feel real."
"I know, and we both know how she can hold it all in."
"I'll try talking to her if she is still up, I just want her to be okay."
"Just be here for her. I hate that I need to leave so soon, but I wouldn't trust her in anyone else's hands. I know you'll take care of each other, and I can leave feeling okay knowing that." The city lights left a glow across his face, he smiled, but there was a strain to it, practiced from the constant need to look on the bright side in tragic situations.
"I appreciate the confidence, but," I turned around and leaned back, looking up at the almost starless sky, the little specks hidden behind the city lights. "What if we can't make it?"
"What do you mean."
"Fuck Tai, look at everything she's been through, everything we've been through together. What if being with me ends up just being a reminder of all of it, of all the bad things and all the fucking tragedy."
"T.K., I don't think she could ever look at you and see, or feel, something painful, guilt after leaving for sure, but she's working on all of that. You'll always be the one she can trust, the one who was there through it all, who stayed through it all. If you believe in the two of you and don't give up hope, then you'll both be okay."
I turned back around and glanced out at the city again, at the unsuspecting people walking along, the light laughter, wishing that we could have the unawareness they had, and the simplicity they had.
He put his hands on my shoulders and turned me around so I was facing him, looking down the way a parent might before a lecture, "Look, I know it's always fallen on you to keep the faith, and you've always taken it in stride. She's seeing someone and it's helping, maybe it's time for you do the same. You need a way to process all this fucking trauma too. Promise me you'll look after yourself, as much as her, you deserve some peace too."
I bit the inside of my cheek, avoiding the urge to cry, even though I knew he wouldn't judge me. I knew I needed to talk to someone, about the earth bound aspects of pain I was dealing with, and it felt good to know I'd always have his support. Our family was such a mess growing up, Tai and just taken us right in and made us his family, I'd always be grateful to him.
"I'll do that," I finally managed to say, he smiled, happy I'd accepted what he said without an argument, and sent me off to get some sleep.
When I went into the bedroom I found Kari, leaning against the windowsill, with her back towards me. I went over and wrapped my arms around her shoulders and leaned my head down, resting it onto her shoulder. She put her arms around my own, pulling me tighter, I could see fresh tears on her cheeks.
"It's over," I repeated our mantra from earlier.
"Is it?" Her eyes shut tightly, forcing herself to hold back more tears, "What if I have to go to court?"
"I'll be there."
She kept talking like she didn't hear me, "And all this randomness with the digital world, I mean what if we get called again?"
"I'll be there."
I pulled back and turned her to face me. "I'm always going to be here, as long as you'll have me, we'll deal with everything as it comes, together." I brushed the hair away from her face and wiped the tear streaks away. "Got it?"
She leaned against me and I let my arms wrap around her. "I love you," her voice was airy, and tired, but earnest.
I led her gently towards the bed and laid down, pulling her close to me. "I love you so much."
I kissed the top of her head, and the scent of her shampoo, vanilla and sandalwood, drifted around me. I ran my fingers through her hair until I drifted off to sleep, feeling a sense of calm for the first time in a long time. We didn't know what would happen in the courts, but she was safe now, and no one was after her anymore. We could rest and hopefully begin to heal.
A/N: This chapter was hard to let go of, it means we are almost finished with this story. I believe I'll have an even 30 chapters, we go back to Japan in the next one and I'm so excited for that! Please review and let me know what you think, it always makes my day to get those e-mail notifications.
