Chapter 35

"We're ready to go." Kharkov said. "Got anything else my friend?"

"Nope, don't think so." Red checked his pockets to see if there was anything that he left behind. He configured his eyepiece and walked towards Kharkov. "If looking by my estimates, we'll meet the Boss around 30 minutes earlier. You like that AE6?"

"Early birds get the worms." Kharkov patted Red's back.

The AE Team 4x4 parked beside Axton's Resistance Pickup Truck. Maya and Axton stood and walked together with their once enemies-now-friends to the carpark. It was already evening and the sun was near to its daily end and night shall take its place. A temporary goodbye for Maya and The Searcher and a temporary hello to Axton.

"Take care of Maya for me, Axton." Kharkov said while glancing at The Commando. "When we both come back, I expect two arms, two legs, a body and a head okay?"

"Alright." Axton raised his thumb to Kharkov.

Maya rolled her eyes and groaned. "Guys, I can take care of myself. Don't you guys worry about me… I'm a Siren, remember?"

"Shhh… Listen to your father." Axton trolled.

"Very funny man you are." Kharkov laughed loudly. "But you want to know Axton? Maya almost killed Red."

"Really?" Axton looked at Red. "That's kinda normal for me, especially when she's moody with me. She gets more blue and uses her Siren shit on me. Nice to hear you're still alive."

"Axton!" Maya was shocked, she may be harsh on Axton but it was the playful type. Never the aggressive level that Red endured. "I'm not that aggressive."

"I know right." Red shook his head in disbelief. "Siren and Periods. Not the best combination."

Kharkov and Axton laughed loudly together. Sure enough, the distance between the parking space and the motel was cut short because of the good time socializing. The three of them stopped in front of the car while Kharkov went on to the jeep and started the engine. He then rejoined back to the three to have a proper goodbye with Red. Kharkov went on to shake hands with Axton and gave a few pat on the shoulder. Red fist bumped Maya then turned to a hug insisted by Maya. Axton was quite amazed by Maya's openness; usually she was closed off with people. Then they both switch with Red shaking Axton's hand and Maya hugging Kharkov.

"You doing good Commando?" Red went closer to Axton and said quietly.

"Yeah I'm good." Axton nodded. "Thanks to you doc."

"Remember what I told you and never forget." Red moved away and rejoined back to Kharkov. "Keep it calm alright?"

Axton nodded.

Maya was not far but she couldn't hear the full conversation. She looked at Axton worryingly and moved closer to stand beside him. Maya gestured to him wanting to know what's going on but the man dismissed her with a smile. She disliked the secrecy but she knew she had no right to intrude. The only thing she could do was to respect privacy. But then something clicked her head.

"Hey Red, Axton told me that you asked about Gaige? Having a lot of interest in her eh?" Maya teased and obviously lied.

"What?" Red looked at Maya rather shocked. "Who?"

Axton giggled and looked at Maya. "Really?"

Maya blinked one eye to him.

Axton shrugged and followed too. "Totally, she's been asking about Gaige every once in a while." Though, Axton doubted that it would even work with Gaige seeing she was obsessed with DeathTrap. "You sure know how to keep things under the rug Red."

"What the… What the fuck." Red was shocked with the statement. "Did I even ask about her?" Red started to revise when he ever asked about her.

"Red, my friend, I always say to you, you need to open up a bit." Kharkov went closer to Red. "There's no need to deny it, you like her. I guess it's time to think about your future."

"Who!?!" Red was clueless what's going on and worried about things that he doesn't even properly know. "Like really, who?"

"Yeah she's young and cute and ponytails." Maya teased again. "She's your type Red, isn't that right Axton?"

"Totally." Axton wanted to laugh but made sure he only smiled. "Red and Gaige sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"I have a type?" Red looked at Kharkov. "When the fuck did I have a type?"

"See, the more you deny her, the more you show that you like her." Kharkov patted Red's back and softly pushed him to move to the jeep. "Alright, time to move my friend. We'll be late if we do so."

Red proceeded to move but he was clearly confused in his thought. "Do I really like her? I don't think so…"

"See, you clearly like her, my friend." Kharkov walked beside him while glancing back at Maya. He smirked and blinked one eye. "Thank you Maya." said Kharkov quietly.

Maya raised her thumb up while Axton covered his mouth trying not to laugh. It was the most entertaining thing that happened recently and Maya won't certainly forget it.

"Did you tell Gaige about this?" Axton asked Maya.

"Nope, not yet. But as soon as my Siren things are finished, I'm gonna pair them up." Maya smiled.

"That's gonna be one heck of a pairing." Axton remarked. "But did you know that Gaige got a bf?"

"What?!?!" Maya was shocked to the core.

"Nah, just kidding." Axton gave a devilish smile.

Maya shoved Axton away but the man didn't even wobble.

Kharkov and Red waved their hands for the final time and entered their jeep. Kharkov shifted to first gear and the jeep started to move. Kharkov pushed the horn and the jeep moved to its intended destination. Kharkov looked at Red and the man had his arms folded in with furrowed brows. Not angered but still trivial towards what he was feeling.

"When did I even like her…?" Red murmured to himself. "She stole my eyepiece for honest sake. Really, when did I even think about her… sure I know who she is but do I have feelings towards her?"

Kharkov looked the other way and sneered while his mouth shut. Kharkov made sure his face was plain before he talked to Red.

"It's okay my friend, love feels weird but it's all safe my friend."

"I swear you guys are fucking me right now." Red complained. "Now I'm confused."