Shades of Gray
Part Two
Chapter Eight
(Jake)
I paced the floor of Rachel's mom's house back and forth, and everyone except Rachel, who was having her own crazy fit, was watching me.
"God, how are we supposed to find her? What if we can't find her? Shit!" Rachel yelled, her blue eyes flashing and her knuckles white. I stopped pacing and walked over to where she was standing.
"We will find her. We'll find her because I'm going to force those assholes to tell me," I said, walking towards the door. Marco grabbed my arm.
"You can't just barge in there like this, and you know it," he told me a little impatiently, not making any jokes. Before I could shoot a rude reply back at him, he continued.
"First we need to figure out who's going with you. I know you think you're all big and bad and everything, but I don't think you can take on two full grown adults," he said, shooting me a quick grin. Rachel cut in a split second later.
"I'm going with Jake," she said, her eyes darting from person to person, daring them to challenge her. Tobias spoke up.
"It might make more sense if Ax and I confronted them because they know you two, and it might make them suspicious," he pointed out.
I had to admit that he was right, Cassie's parents both knew me and Rachel and it might blow our cover if we went. But none of them understood how I felt, not really. They didn't understand how much it hurt, both physically and emotionally to be away from Cassie, to know that something might be wrong with the person you're so in love with you can't sleep because you're always thinking about them. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.
"We'll pretend that we're Andalites in morph, and they'll probably believe that the humans we aqcuired were just a coincidence. That way you, Marco and Ax can wreck the construction while me Rachel and find out where Cassie is," I said.
To my surprise, Marco actually agreed with me. "You know, despite being completely and utterly insane, your plan just might work," he said. I smiled as best as I could in his direction.
"The Yeerks are smart. Be careful, Prince Jake, Rachel," he said. I nodded.
"Don't worry. We will."
Chapter Nine
"We leave as soon as we find out about Cassie. No hesitations," I said, and Rachel nodded firmly.
We bursted through Cassie's front door. We went straight to the living room, where Cassie's mom and dad where talking to each other quietly. They both looked up, anger flashing across both of their faces for a brief moment, until they just looked surprised.
"Jake? Rachel?"
"What are you doing here?"
Rachel and I both ignored their questions. Instead, she just walked over to Cassie's mom and twisted both of her arms behind her back, holding them tightly before she could react.
"What is going on?" she asked, struggling.
"Andalites," hissed Cassie's dad, jumping out of his seat and starting for Rachel. I intercepted him before he could get there.
"I don't think so, Yeerk." He took a swing at me, but I dodged and punched him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain.
"Sorry," I mumbled, and Rachel and I tied both of them to their chairs with the rope Erek had gotten us. It took about fifteen minutes to get them both tied up right. We sat back in our chairs, facing Cassie's parents.
"Tell us where the human is," I said, trying to sound like Ax. Cassie's mom sneered.
"What purpose could she possibly serve you, Andalite?" she asked. Rachel smiled smugly.
"That's none of your concern," she said coldly. Cassie's dad struggled against his chair.
"You know you cannot keep us here. We will tell you nothing," he said. I looked at Rachel briefly, and she nodded. I walked behind Cassie's dad's head and put my arm around his neck.
"I'll snap your neck in half if you don't give us the location. Now," I said, tightening my grip. The Yeerk hesitated, and looked at his wife. She sighed, and glared at me.
"Fine," she said, and told us the the town where she was. I shot Rachel a look. It was less than three hours from where we lived. Why hadn't she come back?
"I do not know the exact location, and I will tell you nothing more. You will not get away with this," she added spitefully.
"Actually, I think we will," I said, letting of my hold on the Yeerk's head. He spat at me, but missed.
"We told you where the human is, Andalite filth. I demand that you untie us," he said, shaking with anger. I ignored him, and tied a gag around his mouth while Rachel did the same to Cassie's mom.
"Let's go," I said to Rachel, and she grabbed the keys of Alisha's car and we ran outside.
"I hope she's alright," she said. We jumped in the car and Rachel pulled out of the driveway and got on the highway.
"So do I," I said under my breath.
"God, so do I."
Chapter Ten
(Cassie)
"Thanks, I will. Bye," I said to Dr. Peterson over the phone, and hung up.
I was just about to get a glass of water when I heard the doorbell. I sat the empty glass down and crossed the room to open the door. I smiled.
"Hello David," I said, and held the door open wider.
"Hi Cassie. How are you?" he asked, following me back to the kitchen.
"Oh, I'm fine. I've just been really tired lately," I said. He sat down, gazing at me intently, like he was thinking about something. He did that every so often; the first time I met him he wouldn't take his eyes off of me. It was kind of weird, and made me feel uncomfortable, like there was something else about him that I should know. But he was nice enough, and I looked forward to his visits. It gave me someone to talk to and get my mind off constantly thinking about Jake. He grinned.
"Well hey, that's normal, right? So what are you going to name her?" he asked. David had figured out that I was pregnant the day before when he saw me taking the prenatal pills I had been prescribed a few days before. I didn't know why he paid attention to those kinds of things, but he did. I hadn't really thought about it, so I just said the first thing that came to mind.
"I don't know, I think Rachel might be a nice name if it's a girl," I said. David's face darkened, and he touched his left pocket.
"If that's what you want, I guess," he replied. I took it that he had known someone named Rachel he obviously didn't like very much, so I decided not to ask about it. Just then I heard a car door slam, and feet running up the driveway. David tensed.
"Were you expecting people?" he asked. I shook my head, confused.
"No, Dr. Peterson didn't say anything about having anyone over today," I replied.
"Well, I better go. See ya later," he said, quickly getting up from his chair and leaving through the back door. I didn't have time to think about it though, because there were five urgent knocks on the door.
"I'm coming, wait a minute," I called. I walked to the front door and opened it. I completely forgot about David. Standing there were two people, a tall blond older teenage girl.
She seemed familiar, but I focused my attention on the guy standing next to her, even taller with brown hair and the serious, dark eyes that I knew so well, and yet, so far away. My eyes filled with tears.
"Jake?" I asked, and he wrapped his strong arms around me in a warm embrace. I held back tightly, sobbing, and wondering how I survived without feeling his arms around me, the safety and security that he always gave.
"Cassie, I'm so sorry, we didn't know how to find you. Everything's okay now," he said, stroking my hair and kissing me softly. As soon as we broke apart, I noticed the pretty blond was looking at us both in surprise.
"What have I missed?" she asked goodnaturedly, but I frowned slightly, trying to remember her name.
"You're Rachel," I finally announced. She gave me a slightly skeptical look.
"And who else would I be?" she said. I shook my head, she didn't know. Jake looked at me like he was trying to figure something out.
"You do remember her, don't you?" he asked.
"A little. I, I lost my memory, I only remember a few things, like how I got here. And you," I started. By the time I was done telling them everything, Jake was holding me, rocking me back and forth.
"That's why. That's why you left," he said, and I understood.
"There's something else," I said, and looked at Rachel apologetically. She got the idea, and Jake and I went inside of the house.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his eyes looked troubled. I sighed; now that Jake was there, I couldn't get it out.
"Jake. I don't know how else to say it. I'm pregnant," I said. Jake's face was unreadable and he seemed to be thinking about something, and then he finally spoke.
"Pregnant?. I'm going to be a father?" he asked. Before I could say anything, he wrapped me up in his arms again tightly.
"God, I know this must sound strange, but I think this is amazing. We're going to have a baby. After all this hell we've both been through, we're going to have a baby," he said, placing a hand on my growing stomach. I closed my eyes for a moment. I put my hand over his and looked up at his smiling face, happier than I've ever been in my whole life.
"Yes. We're going to be a family now."
Chapter Eleven
(Jake)
After Cassie said goodbye to her doctor, Rachel and Cassie packed her things and we drove home, Rachel driving most of the way. I knew that being pregnant wouldn't restrict anybody from driving, but after finding Cassie I didn't think I could bear losing her again, her or our child, whom I'd already loved as soon as I knew about him. I guess some guys in my situation might react differently, but I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing Cassie having my our baby made me feel.
While Rachel drove, we filled Cassie in on everything from the invasion and what really happened to her parents. She seemed to take it in stride; Cassie told me later that she'd had nightmares about the war that hadn't made sense to her at the time, but made perfect sense then. Tobias, Marco, and Ax met us when we got back at about 5 in the morning, where we told them everything that had happened.
By the time it was 10, they knew about everything, including the fact that Cassie and I were going to be parents in about 6 months. They were all really surprised, especially Rachel and Marco. But I think he had suspected it as soon as we arrived, but he waited until we told him until he said anything about it. Marco and Tobias had taken Cassie's parents to the woods the day before just in case they figured us out. As soon as their Yeerks died, Cassie had a long talk with them, and it took her a while to trust them again. We also told them about the roles we played, and they promised to keep our secret.
Cassie and I both had another long talk with all of our parents a few days later, telling them about the baby. At first they were a little apprehensive about us being parents at 18, but after a while they were just excited, especially my parents. After losing Tom, I think they were ready for a new beginning.
Over the next few months Cassie regained the rest of her memory, including everything about the Yeerks, her family, the Animorphs, us, and even the smaller things that weren't really important. But she still though she still had a few holes here and there, and her doctor that she stayed with helped her with this, so it wasn't a big problem.
Of course, Rachel drove Cassie crazy by dragging her to the mall and all kinds of baby boutiques, bringing back baby clothing for girls and boys. Rachel claimed she did this just in case the doctors were wrong about the gender, but we all knew she just liked to shop. Rachel also threw Cassie a huge baby shower, and Marco insisted on letting him send out the invitations. Let's just say that there were a large variety of girls from our college who, according to Marco, happened to love babies. It was nice just the same.
About one week from her due date, Cassie and I were watching TV on the couch, and I was resting my head on her stomach. She had been unconciously stroking my hair, and I looked up at her when she stopped.
"Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"I think we better get going," she said calmly. I nearly fell off the couch.
"Are you sure?" I asked her. She nodded, and smiled.
"Mm-hmm." I stood up and rubbed my temples, not from a headache, but more from nervousness and excitement.
"Okay. First thing, call the hospital," I said mostly to myself and started towards the phone in the kitchen. I almost tripped over one of my shoes, but managed to call without breaking anything.
"Okay, um, I'll get the, the-" "The suitcase, Jake," Cassie said patiently, still smiling. I grinned sheepishly and retrieved the bags. As soon as I got back Cassie was hanging up the phone.
"I just called Marco and Rachel. They're telling our parents," she said. I just nodded dumbly. Cassie walked over to where I was standing and put her arms around me as best as she could.
"Jake, calm down. Everything's going to be fine, remember?" she said. I returned the hug and kissed her softly.
"Thanks, Cass." I drove to the hospital, only breaking the speed limit by 10 miles an hour. Twelve hours later, Cassie had a strong, beautiful baby boy who we named Jacob Thomas, after me and my brother Tom. I've never been so proud before in my life, I actually cried when he was first born. I didn't think it was possible to love someone you just met like that. When I first held him in my arms I couldn't get over how small and perfect his features were, and yet they were just like mine. At that moment, I knew that I'd die before I ever let anything happen to him.
The day after Jacob was born, I gathered my courage and approached Cassie's hospital room, not knowing what to expect. She saw me in the doorway and smiled.
"Hi." I walked in and sat on her bed and gave her a brief kiss.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Just a little tired. And happy," she added. I smiled and took her hand.
"Cassie, I need to ask you something." She studied my face with her beautiful gaze. I took a deep breath, and started talking.
"These past few months, they've been hard, really hard. I thought I was going to die if I wouldn've been able to find you. God Cassie, I love you so much, through everything you've always been there for me, when Tom died you were the only person who could get through to me. And now we have a son, a baby boy, and we're a family now. I want you to be my wife," I said, taking out the small black box and opening it. A tear rolled down Cassie's face, and I brushed it away softly.
"Yes, of course I'll marry you," she said, and I wrapped her up in my arms, thinking about how blessed I was to have her in my life.
Chapter Twelve
(Marco)
A week after Jacob and Cassie came home from the hospital, Jake and Cassie's parents were going to take them out to dinner to celebrate their engagement and new son. Of course I volunteered to babysit, you know, being the godfather and all. Plus Maggie had canceled our date twenty minutes before. Rachel was there too, partly because she was the godmother, and mostly because I don't think they trustem me alone with the kid. I didn't understand their logic at all.
Seriously, Jake never seemed to like babies before, and then when Jacob was born, all that changed. Every time I saw Jake holding him he looked like he'd won the lottery or something. Anyway, I'd just kicked Jake and Cassie out, and was having a little man to man with Jacob.
"And that's why Spiderman will always be better than Batman. Don't let your dad convince you otherwise, he's a little out there," I told him. The baby yawned.
"Hey, don't do that. That's a good way to make someone like me feel really stupid." He stared at me.
"Am I that unamusing? Well, hey, I don't see you picking up any chicks at the nursery." The baby's face crumpled, and he let out a big wail.
"WAAAAAHHHH!!!" I winced, and picked him up, and tried to bounce him up and down.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, honest." The baby stopped crying, and instead he just whimpered.
"Aw, come on, you're starting to make me feel bad." He stopped whimpering, and instead started to coo. I rolled my eyes.
"That's even worse." He cooed some more.
"You're just trying to get me soft, you adorable little monster." He gurgled.
"You really do look a lot like Jake. You could even be his mini-me. You know, off Austin Powers? Well, except you're not bald," I added, noting his soft brown hair. He sighed.
"I bet you're doing that on purpose, you cute little booger."
"That's it. Call the press. Marco's been reduced to a sniveling, baby-talking idiot," said Rachel from the doorway of the kitchen. I quickly placed the baby back in his carrier and shrugged.
"Yeah right." Rachel rolled her eyes.
"You bet I am. He really is adorable though," she said, making goo goo eyes at the baby. I snickered.
"What about you, Xena?" I said. She smiled at the baby, and glared at me. Before she could reply, I heard a knock at the door. Rachel frowned.
"Who do you think that is?" she asked. I shrugged.
"Do I look like a psychic?" I said, still embarrassed from her catching me talking to a baby. She ignored me and left to go answer the door. It was taking her longer than usual, so I made sure that Jacob was okay and went to the door. Rachel was glaring at the person on the other side.
"Who is i-" I stopped in midsentence. Standing on the doorstep was David, human.
"Did you miss me?" My mouth hung open. I still couldn't believe it was him. Rachel was still glaring at him.
"Last time I checked you were a rat. What happened?" she asked, spitting the words out. David smiled.
"It's all about the Ellimist, baby. Let's just say when you're a higher being, it doesn't pay to play favorites," he said smugly. Rachel looked confused, and I'm sure I mirrored her expression. The Ellimist? Wouldn't that be more of a Crayak type thing Then the realization dawned on me.
"It's Tobias. The Ellimist gave him his morphing powers back, so he had to give you yours, too," I said. David winked.
"Yep. You always were the smart one. Atleast, you and that Jake character. Say, where's he anyway?" he asked, pretending to look around. Rachel looked like she was ready to morph her elephant and kill him, but she held steady.
"He's not here. What do you want, David?" she asked. What David said next shocked us both.
"Well, as you know I want you dead. But now I was just thinking maybe I could see the baby. He has born, hasn't he. I bet he looks like Jake," he said with a disgusting smile on his face. Rachel's eyes widened. "You're the same David Cassie was telling us about. Why didn't I see it before?" she hissed. David stepped forward, but I blocked his way, despite the fact he was taller than me.
"Get the kid away from here, Rachel. GO!" I said, and she turned and ran away to get Jacob. David sneered at me.
"Trying to be big and brave, huh Marco?" he said, pulling out his knife. I heard the back door slam. I didn't back down.
"Go ahead and kill me. Rachel's going to warn the other right now," I said. He just grinned.
"Bye Marco," he said, and plunged the knife through the air. I dodged a split second before it hit my chest. David was facing the door now, and I was facing so I could see the back of the house. I took in a breath and prayed silently that Rachel would be back soon.
"You think you're pretty quick, don't you?" he asked, this time slashing my arm. I held it to keep it from bleeding. I saw Rachel sneaking up behind him, but I kept my focus on David.
"Actually, I do." Rachel grabbed his neck from behind, and David slashed the knife in blind panic. It fell out of his hands, and before he could get it again I grabbed it, and plunged it into his side. He yelled out in pain, and Rachel let go of him. Just then I heard two people running up the steps outside and through the front door. Jake and Cassie, and they were followed by their parents. They were all dressed up. I figured Rachel had called them while she was gone.
"Where's Jacob?" they both asked at the same time. Rachel was still breathing heavily.
"He's at the neighbor's house. He's fine," she reassured them. They all let out a sigh of relief. Jake squinted at David's body, and then his eyes widened with realization.
"David," he said, and I nodded.
"Oh my God," said Jake's mother, and his father crossed the room to kneel by David, checking his pulse.
"He's dead," he announced, not needing to. Cassie put her hand over her mouth.
"How can that be? He's the same David that came by while I was at Dr. Peterson's house. Why didn't I remember that? He could've killed me," she cried, and Jake put an arm around her to block the view of his body.
"He's a liar, and a manipulator, Cassie. It wasn't your fault for trusting him. That's just who he is," he said. To me and Rachel, he said, "Thank you for protecting Jacob. We won't forget this," he said. I smiled as much as I could.
"That's what godparents are for, right?" I said, and Rachel nodded. Cassie's mom walked in with Jacob in her arms, and she handed him to Cassie.
"Yes. People who care about you are all we have in this war."
Epilogue
"Hey Tom," I said, standing by his headstone with Jacob in my arms.
"How are you? It doesn't seem like a year since you've died, but it has been I hope you're okay wherever you are, because I am. I don't think I could be happier actually," I said, smiling down at me sleeping 3 month old son. I looked back at the gravestone, taking a deep breath and continuing.
Jacob's growing up pretty fast. I remember when he was first born. He was so tiny that I was afraid I would break him. But he's strong like you and Cassie, and everyday he never ceases to amaze me with the things he does.
"Cassie and I got married two months ago, a nice outddor wedding. I'm so in love with her, Tom. She's made my life so much better, and she's a blessing to everyone who knows her. I only wish you could've known her better.
"Mom and dad are doing okay. When you first died, they were really depressed, a lot like me really. But lately they've been a lot better. Mom's found a real friend in Cassie, someone she can talk to about things she can't with dad and all. Speaking of dad, I actually saw him smile the other day. He was holding Jacob. He always seems to have that effect on people, he's just like his mom. Always making you smile.
"They know about the war now, the way you really died and the role me and my friends play in it. I know they're not glad we fight, but they know that as long as we trust each other and don't give up, we'll come out okay.
"I should get going. I just wanted Jacob to finally meet the uncle that he's heard so much about from me. I miss you so much." I closed my eyes in a silent prayer. For Tom, for every victim that had fallen in this war. When I opened my eyes I saw my son staring up at me, innocence in his dark eyes that I had lost long before. I smiled down at him again.
"Come on. Mommy's waiting for us," I said, and I walked away from the gravestone, the weight of my brother's death slowly being lifted from my shoulders.