Between Love and Blood Chapter 12

Brutus was where we'd left him in the garden guarding the doorway leading away down from the gardens. At first Brutus looked bored at having to stand there, but when eh spotted us his boredom was quickly transformed into pleasure we'd returned combined with concern for the state of our own outward appearance. Looking into the water under the bridge as we got closer we definitely had a far different appearance than when we'd left especially when it came to myself.

Oh my, what both of them must think of her? She might be a sight.

"What the devil happened to you two," demanded Brutus, moving forward to meet us in a closer inspection. "You look like you just saw the scientists from Nimh!

Amused, Justin chuckled "You're close, but thankfully it wasn't them."

"Then what the hell went on out there," persisted Brutus. "I thought you guys were just going to see Ages."

"We did, but we ran into a bit of trouble on the way back," said Justin.

"We don't know how, but Dragon managed to spot us," I said, trying to fix myself up properly using my reflection. "If Justin hadn't heard Dragon stalking us we probably wouldn't have made it back in one piece. We almost didn't"

"Are you injured at all," inquired Brutus, seeming to scan me over for any sign of serious injury.

Shaking my head, I said "Nothing a good nights rest won't fix. The only damage that has been done is to my dress."

"Don't start with that again, Joanna," groaned Justin, playfully.

Next second Justin dodges the blow I aimed to cuff the rear of his head dancing out of reach.

Brutus shares in his humor laughing along with Justin. All I did was to tap an irritated foot at their actions, but not reprimanding them. It was already common knowledge they were laughing with me not at me. So I let them have their fun without any sort of fuss.

Calming his laughter, Brutus said "Well what matters is that you two are all right. We don't want Dragon taking anymore of our number."

For Dragon was the one who took Jonathan Brisby from us before he was drugged.

Justin said "If you have a chance spread it around to others Dragon is active again. We don't want anyone else taking unnecessary risks out there."

Nodding, Brutus said "I'll make sure to do just that once my shift has ended. By the way how did your visit with Ages go? Has he accepted the task you've asked of him?"

My eyes shot toward Justin although my posture remained the same. Returning the stare aimed at him he knew what I was so nervous about. The embarrassment I faced at the destruction following the map was not something I wanted to live through again.

Justin said "He agreed to it although it wasn't a big surprise to hear his objections ranting about it for around five minutes straight."

"Was the Old Man in the middle of one of his experiments," asked Brutus, eagerly leaning forward to hear more.

Nodding, Justin said "Yeah, by the way he greeted us once we showed up knocking on his door he definitely was."

Cackling at this bit of news, Brutus said "That'll set him off. I'm shocked you actually managed to stay there for so long. Last time I did that I had to run just to save my tail and he's not even a third of my size!"

"Yes," said Justin, "yes that would usually set him off, but once he learned the importance of the task at hand he calmed down considerably."

"More like he completely deflated," I said. "He couldn't get out of this direct order. Even if he wanted to Ages could not disobey."

In that moment something I'd spoken seems trigger something within Brutus's mind.

"Speaking of that there is a detail you both should know before you enter," he warned.

"What is it," I asked, brow furrowed, arms crossed.

Rubbing the back his neck in a sheepish and uncomfortable manner, Brutus said "Not long after you guys left Jenner showed up at the gates looking for you, Joanna. When I told him where you had gone he became…furious. His temper was controlled, but I could see it in his eyes. He's not happy with either of you."

So much for keeping this excursion a secret. That cover is blown major.

Flinching, I asked "What did he say?"

Grimacing, Brutus said "Trust me when I say nothing he spoke is anything I care to repeat."

"That bad," inquired Justin.

"Nearly as angry as he was when Nicodemus introduced 'The Plan' to the entire Colony," said Brutus.

Instantly I felt it is so bleak. That's one of the few times when Jenner came close to losing control of his anger. I mean he got angry plenty of times, but it was then he just got plain enraged so much radiating off him in gigantic waves. I was going to have to watch my step when I faced him again and they knew it.

"Joanna," began Justin, cautious. "if you want me to-."

"I don't need you with me when I face Jenner, Justin. I interrupted. "I've told you already my brother may get angry, but he would never lay a hand on me in anger."

Hands on his waist Justin exchanged a look with Brutus. At the shrug Brutus gave Justin nodded in agreement with whatever had passed silently between them.

Bringing a hand to his eyes, Justin sighed "Very well as you wish."

"I hope you know what you're getting into, Joanna," said Brutus, somber.

I gave Brutus a smile that reassured him I wasn't going to get hurt.

"I always do," I said, softly.

To be honest I'm hoping the exact same thing. In an opposite direction than he was pointing at.

Moving to the side Brutus bowed slightly gesturing with his spear for us to continue forward.

"I won't keep either of you any longer. You may enter the compound."

Giggling as I walked passed him, I said "Brutus, when are you going to stop using those formal phrases of yours? Every person within the Colony knows each and all the faces by now. There's no need for it anymore."

"Protocol is protocol," said Brutus, standing at attention and speaking in a mockery tone. "And as a prime member of the guard the ways of protocol must be followed to the point."

He's aching to get a reaction out of Justin for it's a big thing he'd spoken few times in the past. In retaliation Justin raises a tight fist promising retribution. All Brutus did in response was wave it off.

Authors Note:

Hope you all liked this one! I certainly did while writing it! ;D

I don't know about the rest of you, but I saw the new movie Avengers Endgame on the big premiere night! Oh man, I couldn't believe it. I am so happy they didn't cut anything, actually make and keeping the three hours running time. There was so much going on that it probably would've ruined it if they did that.

I need your shared opinions.

In light of Avengers Endgame, in preference to my Rise Of The Snow Queen series, what do you all think of a one-shot or flashback chapter for in between where Loki is with Thanos before he heads to Earth?

Here's the idea I'm trying to get at maybe Loki catches a glimpse of his sister on Jotunheim. Because in Rise Of The Snow Queen 2 he makes it very clear that he already knows she's a Queen. So maybe that can be very suitable this time around for our girl.

So, what do all of you hardcore Avengers fans think?

Should I do it?