A few days later, Barney came into Tool's shop with an announcement.
"We have a mission," he said. The others still weren't back from their mission yet, so it was Doc, Toll, Gunner, Caesar, Lee, and Barney left. Kate sat up straight. Toll's arm was around her since they were sitting on the couch.
"Really?" she asked.
"I don't think you're ready," Barney said, knowing her thoughts.
"I disagree," she shook her head.
"She's ready," Lee chimed in. He felt Toll look at him, but he didn't look back. It wasn't Lee's fault Toll didn't step in and offer to do combat training with her. He spent a day with her teaching her about bombs. Whoop de doo.
"I don't know," Barney started. Kate stood and pulled out the knife Lee had given her. He loved that it was her prized possession. He remembered her face when he had given it to her. He thought about it all the time, same as their almost kiss on their not date.
"I'm ready," she said firmly, throwing the knife without looking and hitting the target dead center. Barney gaped at her, his eyebrows shooting up into his hairline at her boldness and sureness. He looked at Lee, who nodded. Then he looked to see where her knife landed, and he started.
"Um, little help over here?" Tool asked. The others turned to see Tool's vest underneath Kate's knife in the target. His hands were full of a bowl of chips and a six pack of beer. How they had missed him standing there, Lee had no idea.
"What the hell, man?" Barney snorted.
"She didn't give any warning," Tool protested. "I ducked just in time, but my clothes didn't have time to come with me."
"I'm so sorry!" Kate exclaimed, rushing to pull the knife out. The others laughed while Tool assured her he was fine and that it wasn't his first close call.
"Yup, she's ready," Barney said to Lee. "Good job. You must be proud."
"Just doing my job," Lee shrugged.
"So where are we going?" Caesar asked amidst the hubbub. He didn't usually go, but when it was just the original gang, he sometimes went.
"Into the Rocky Mountains," Barney answered.
"For what?" Gunner questioned.
"We were asked to retrieve a hijacked truck. This truck has dangerous weapons on it."
"The driver?" Doc asked.
"He's part of a terrorist cell. If we don't get that truck, a lot of lives are in danger."
"Aren't they always?" Lee commented.
"Gear up," Barney ordered, ignoring Lee. Kate was bouncing beside Toll as he went to gather his things. Lee avoided Barney's pointed look behind Toll's back. It was time to go to work.
...
"Why are you doing this?" Emma asked. Kate had called her because she needed to make things right between them in case something happened to her. She had almost called her a few times before but had chickened out. She stood in the back of Tool's place while the others got ready in the other room. She was already done and ready to go.
"Because I want to."
"Are you trying to be like Liam? Is that what this is?"
"No!"
"Look, I know he was your favorite sibling, and you were his favorite sister," Emma said, her voice cracking a little. Kate tensed. This was new.
"What are you talking about?" Kate asked.
"You two were always off and doing things together," Emma answered. "You were his Katie girl, and I was just Emma and Grace was just Grace. He didn't spend much time with us. I think, to be honest, he just tolerated me. I don't know how he felt about Grace, but she would probably tell you the same thing. I was so jealous of you two that after he died, I selfishly thought that maybe you and I would become close. I guess I was wrong."
"Emma..."
"It's fine. I got over it," Emma dismissed.
"Clearly not."
"Go do what you gotta do, Kate, but please don't bother me anymore. I know you only call because Mum makes you. I know you just tolerate me too."
"Emma!"
"Goodbye, Kate."
"Emma!" Kate shouted again, but her sister was gone. She stared at her phone, shocked by this news. Then she started to think back, and her gut sank as she realized her sister was right. When had she and Liam ever included her? Or Grace? When had Kate ever spent time with Emma and Grace when they were growing up? And yes, she called Emma after her mother prompted her to the majority of the time. Was she that horrible of a sister?
"Hey," Lee said, sticking his head into the room. "You okay?"
"I...I'm fine," Kate answered.
"It didn't sound fine," he pointed out. "Fight with your sister?" He knew her sister was Emma. She didn't talk much about her family with him, though, and he wondered why.
"She thinks I'm being stupid," Kate told him. "For doing this."
"Most people don't get it," Lee assured her. "Give her time. She'll come around."
"I hope so," Kate sighed.
"Let's go!" Barney shouted then. Lee flashed her a grin then.
"Time to show them how ready you are."
Kate smiled weakly back. The thing was, she didn't feel as ready as she had let on she was.
...
"Is there a reason all of us are going on this?" Kate asked, curious. They were in Barney's plane now.
"Yea. That driver is going to meet his buddies. We suspect they are all hiding up in the mountains together," Barney answered. "I'm not sure how many of his buddies are there, but I'm not risking going alone."
"Fair enough," she nodded. She looked over at Lee in the seat across from Barney. "Do you always get to sit there?"
"Yes," Lee answered.
"Why?"
"He's my right hand man," Barney answered for him. "That's why."
"So what does one have to do to earn the right to sit there?" Kate questioned. Barney looked at her seriously.
"They have to be Lee."
Lee snorted with laughter while Kate made a face at Barney.
"I get it," she sighed. She turned to go back and join the others. Lee resisted watching her go.
"You're still an idiot," Barney said without looking at him. "You don't deserve that seat right now."
"Shut up," Lee retorted.
Barney knew the agreement Lee and Kate had come up with, and he didn't like it. Why would they refuse to admit what they're feeling for each other? Barney wanted to intervene, but he didn't want to make it worse. He was waiting for the perfect moment. He knew something would come up eventually. It had to.
...
"Damn it's cold," Caesar said, pulling his coat tighter around him. He suddenly was regretting coming. They had landed and were gearing up for the hike.
"It's mountain weather," Barney responded. "What did you expect?"
"Not this," Caesar muttered. Everyone grabbed their gear and looked at Barney for further instruction. He looked back at them all thoughtfully.
"We will cover more ground if we split up," he declared. "Caesar and Toll, you cover this area." He handed them a map. "Gunner and Doc, you cover this area." They received a map as well. Toll looked at Lee and Kate, and Lee knew he was annoyed. Something had shifted between them since Lee's dinner with Kate. He felt Toll was suspicious of him, and he hated that Toll had every right to be.
"Lee, Kate, and I will cover this area," Barney said, pointing on his map. "We let the others know when we find that truck."
Lee knew exactly what Barney was doing, and he both hated and loved him for doing it. Toll begrudgingly went with Caesar while looking back at Kate a few times before they disappeared. Gunner and Doc headed on their way, and Barney turned to Lee and Kate.
"Shall we?" he gestured.
"I know what you're doing," Lee said when Kate got ahead of them.
"What?" Barney asked innocently.
"Don't play dumb. It's a terrible look for you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Barney said, sticking to his guns. Lee just sighed and shook his head. Barney smiled to himself when Lee started walking ahead of him. He didn't have to wait long after all for an opportunity to present itself. This was going to be perfect.
...
"What is with you?" Caesar asked Toll after a while. He was cold and impatient. He wanted to find the damn truck already, but Toll's obvious brooding was getting annoying.
"Nothing," Toll lied.
"It's Kate isn't it?"
Caesar was a little more perceptive than Gunner it seemed.
"No."
"You're a terrible liar, man," Caesar scoffed. He looked at Toll. "You worried or something?"
"I just thought we'd be together on our first mission."
"You worried Lee's gonna take her from you?" Caesar asked, getting to the point. He recalled Lee possibly liking this woman.
"Lee's not like that," Toll shook his head. "And they're just friends." He had convinced himself of this, and Lee had promised, but he still had his doubts.
"You sure about that?"
"I think so," Toll frowned, feeling worried that someone else was thinking it too. "Why? Did he say something to you?"
"No. I just see how she looks at him and how he looks at her. There's something there."
"No, there isn't."
"Dude, you gotta pay more close attention," Caesar instructed. Toll felt worried now. Did Lee really like Kate and had lied to Toll? Did Kate like Lee back? Was he that blind and oblivious to everything? Was he lying to himself that his suspicions were nothing?
"Lee's a good guy," Caesar went on, reading his mind. "He won't do anything to hurt you. It's her I'd be concerned about."
"What do you mean?"
"If anyone is gonna act on anything, it will be her, not Lee."
"And that's supposed to make me feel better? That's the girl I'm seeing you're talking about," Toll said angrily.
"Look," Caesar said, stopping suddenly and making Toll stumble to avoid walking into him. "Kate is lovely, but I think she's confused as to who she really wants to be with."
"Not helping, man."
"She met Lee first, right? Didn't Lee say they almost slept together but he has his 'no one night stand' rule?"
"Yea..." Toll had forgotten about that part. Damn it.
"So do you really think that spark just died?" Caesar pressed. "You're sure it's not still there underneath the surface waiting to explode?"
"I never thought of that," Toll said, feeling stupid. "She really likes me, though."
"She does, yea. Like I said, she's confused. I just don't want you to get hurt if she figures it out, especially when it's too late," Caesar said, putting his hand on Toll's shoulder.
"So I should end it then?" Toll asked, feeling defeated. Did Lee always have to get everything?
"I think you should have a serious conversation with her," Caesar suggested.
"Well, if we get out of this bush alive, I will," Toll agreed.
"Sorry to make you think about this stuff," Caesar apologized.
"It's all right." He didn't add that he already had thoughts about Lee and Kate liking each other but dismissed them because Lee had sworn to Toll that he wasn't going to do that.
"You liked a girl and you went for it, man. There's nothing wrong with that."
"Come on. Let's find this truck and get out of here," Toll said, changing the subject. He didn't want to think about Kate and Lee anymore.
...
"I was imagining a bit more action on these missions," Kate commented as they stepped around rocks. Barney was ahead of them. Lee was in the rear with Kate in the middle.
"It's not all bullets and beatings, you know," Lee snorted.
"I'm seeing that now," she pointed out.
"Sorry to disappoint you," Lee told her. She just waved her hand.
"You can make it up to me later."
"Right."
And just how was he supposed to do that? He caught her smirk at him and felt that familiar shiver.
"Hey, guys," Barney said, stopping. "Tracks." They all stopped and surveyed the ground. There were indeed tracks leading to the left. They followed them until they stopped.
"Where's the truck?" Lee asked, looking around. "It can't have just disappeared."
"Maybe it can," Kate said, reaching out.
"What are you doing?" Barney asked sharply. She touched the space above the tire tracks, and her hand hit something solid. She looked at them.
"No way," Lee said. Kate tapped the metal.
"It's got the cloaking device on it that makes it blend into it's surroundings," Kate said. "I've heard of this technology."
"No shit," Barney said, impressed. Kate felt around before pulling open the door. Lee had to admit it was bizarre to see the inside of a truck while the outside of it was invisible.
"You turn it off in here," she said, flicking a switch. The truck slowly came into view then.
"Are the keys in there?" Barney asked. Kate looked.
"No," she shook her head.
"Hotwiring it is," Barney sighed. He opened the driver's side and got to work. "Radio the boys and tell them we got it."
"All right," Lee said. He pulled out his radio. "Hey, lads, we got the truck. Meet back at the plane."
"A'ight," Doc's voice answered.
"Ten four," Caesar's voice chimed after.
"Freeze!" voices shouted. Lee and Kate spun to see six men with guns aimed at them.
"Barney!" Lee yelled.
The truck started in response, and Barney popped up in the driver's seat.
"Get in!" he shouted. Lee shoved Kate up into the passenger's side with a surprising amount of strength and slammed the door shut behind her. He then fired off rounds while ducking the shots coming his way. Barney moved the truck to cover him, and he hurried to the back of it. Hiding among the bombs wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing. He heard Kate cry out as more bullets shattered the glass of the truck. Lee barely made it inside before Barney rammed the truck into high gear and sped away. Lee fell forward, grunting from the impact. He stayed down, praying the bullets wouldn't hit an explosive.
"Are you okay?" Kate asked. He looked to see her face through the window that separated the back of the truck from the cab.
"I'm good," he answered. "You?"
"Took one in the arm, but I'm fine," she told him.
"Is it bad?"
"No," she answered.
"She's lying," Barney said. "I'm gonna stop once we're clear so we can fix her up."
"It's fine, really," she insisted.
"Stop arguing," Barney ordered. She kept quiet then. Lee bounced along in the back for what felt like hours until Barney stopped. He got out and went around to Kate's side. Barney didn't bother hiding the truck with the invisibility device. They'd see the bush marks and tracks anyway. It was pointless.
"I'm really fine," she said again as he looked at her arm.
"Come on," he instructed. She obeyed as he led her to the front of the truck and got out his bag. He pulled out gauze and strips.
"It's still in there," she said. He pulled out tweezers and sterilized them quickly. She grimaced. Barney watched while keeping an eye out for visitors. He had intentionally parked beside a river to help cover the noise. Lee took her arm gently and examined the wound.
"It's gonna hurt," he said.
"I know."
"Brace yourself," he advised, going in with the tweezers. She grunted and growled with pain but didn't make anymore noise than that. Lee pulled it out in ten seconds flat and tossed it. Then he went to work on cleaning the wound and wrapping it. After ten minutes, he was done. He had to admit he was impressed at her ability to not scream from pain.
"Good as new," he said, putting it all back into his bag.
"We ready?" Barney asked.
"Yup," Lee replied. They heard voices shouting then.
"Shit," Barney growled.
"I'm sorry," Kate said, feeling it was her fault.
"What's the plan?" Lee asked Barney, who was thinking. He hurried around to the back of the truck and looked inside. He gathered the important looking plans and documents that appeared to be the destinations for the bombs as well as the detonators and handed them to Kate.
"What?" she asked.
"Put them in your bag and go. Meet at the plane. They'll still think it's in the truck."
"But the bombs are in the truck," she protested.
"They're no good if no one knows where they're supposed to set them off or if they can't set them off," Barney pointed out. "Just get going!"
"Okay," she said.
"By herself?" Lee asked, incredulous.
"I'm not a complete asshole. Go with her," Barney said, shutting the door and starting the truck. Lee took off after Kate, the voices still coming. She turned to see him when he reached her.
"Is he going to be all right?" she asked.
"He'll be fine," Lee answered. He hoped to God he was right.
And just when things couldn't get any worse, Kate broke through brush only to find it was the edge of a cliff. She cried out, losing her balance and toppling over. Lee threw himself onto his stomach to try to grab her, but she was gone. He noticed it was not a very high ledge, but she had fallen down it all the same.
"Kate?" he called. He couldn't see her. He slid down after her, narrowly missing the river at the bottom. There was a very small ledge that separated land from water. If one wasn't able to see this or if one had lost momentum, they wouldn't be able to stop from going into the river. That's when his blood ran cold because ahead he could see her head bobbing in the water going down the river.
"Kate!" he shouted, racing alongside the shore as best as he could. "Kate!"
He could see her going under and coming back up, struggling to stay afloat. He was almost caught up with her, and he knew he was going to have to go in after her. She wasn't strong enough to fight the current let alone with a wounded arm. He flung off his backpack, knowing it would weigh him down and drown him if he kept it on, and went to jump in. That's when he noticed the river led to a waterfall. He almost let panic take over. Almost.
"KATE!" he shouted again. And without even thinking or having regard for his own life, he jumped in after her.
Just FYI, I borrowed the whole cloaking device idea from the movie I Spy (Eddie Murphy & Owen Wilson). Please don't criticize. It is just fiction after all.
