It Could Be Worse
Episode 8: Now, What?
By Sulia Serafine
[1-19-01. A Protector of the Small fanfic set in an alternate universe; all credit goes to Tamora Pierce. I'm broke, so you can't sue me.
Oh, one more thing: BAD LANGUAGE (I. E. cursing, swearing…). You have been warned!
E-mail me at silverwLng@aol.com, okay? Thank you and have a nice day.]
"Neal, stop laughing."
"I…I-- haha-- can't help it!"
"It's not funny."
"I know, I know. I'm sorry, but Heaven help me, I wish I was there to see your face when--"
"Neal!" Keladry blushed furiously. Thank Heaven that she could only talk to Neal and not see him. He would probably laugh harder if he saw her face. "Stop it, I'm serious!"
"I don't think I can stop," he laughed. "I'll call you later when I'm better again. Hehe… Sorry, Kel."
"Whatever," she replied grouchily, reminding herself of her blonde partner. "Bye."
She ended the transmission and walked back over to where Joren and Cleon had the Street Pirates tied up. The redhead's fingers twitched from where they rested on the triggers. She didn't like the nearly psychotic twinkle in the redhead's eyes. A muscle in his cheek clenched for a moment, then relaxed. Concerned, she tapped his shoulder gently and said softly, "Cleon?"
"Can I shoot them now?" he asked within a heartbeat. He didn't take his eyes off the gang leader's sly smirk.
"Hey, now--"
He sighed with bitter disappointment. "I know. I can't. But… it doesn't hurt to dream, right?"
She gave him a stern look and he cringed.
"Just joking! Come on, this is me we're talking about! Nothing can get me down for long," he nervously said while forcing himself to laugh. A snort was heard from the other direction. Joren stood a few feet away from them, accessing the directory for Rogue Bay. He returned his focus back to his wristband. The special operative started speaking in low tones into the wristband. His brow creased from his expression of concentration and bewilderment. After a few minutes, he walked back to the group. He scratched his head and frowned. "There isn't any local jail in Rogue Bay?"
Faleron spoke from where he was cuffed and sitting on the floor. "No, sir. So sorry to upset you."
"Oh, shut up, you," Cleon commanded. "Or else I'll--"
"Do nothing of the sort," Keladry interrupted. She turned to the blonde. "What's this about no jail?"
"Rogue Bay doesn't have criminals. Well, beside us," Morrison grinned. "And they've never caught us. I mean, when you spend a couple of years trying to bring down the best thieves in the world, you sort of give up after a while."
She glared at them. "Well, I guess that's why we caught you. Your arrogance led to your carelessness, leading to our triumph."
"Blah, blah, blah," Faleron murmured to himself. He addressed Cleon. "Is she always this self-righteous?"
"More than usual," he replied. "Must be the um, belongings you stole from her."
"Hey!"
"Sorry."
Joren stopped their argument. "Hey, quit talking. Since there is no law enforcement in this colonial wannabe place, then I'll just contact Headquarters and hear what they have to say." He dialed up the number to Tortall's DJPF and waited for an answer. While he was contacting them, Faleron continued to talk on behalf of his gang members without any indication of fear for the two officers.
"I must apologize about your clothing," Faleron told Keladry. "It was actually Wilson's suggestion."
Wilson made a face at the younger man, but did not make any denies. He sheepishly grinned. She inwardly shuddered.
"What about my guns?" Cleon snorted.
The young man chuckled light-heartedly. "I'd be lying if I said I intended to return them. Nice merchandise, my good man. I applaud you on your tastes." He paused. "You must be a good shot, hmm?"
The two officers exchanged confused glances. Since when were thieves so well spoken and confident like this? Keladry didn't know what to make of it. If she had met the thief on the street, she would have thought him to be a clever businessman. His eyes radiated kindness, but there was something in their depths-- something hypnotizing. The straight angled face was framed with soft dark hair that fell across his forehead when he leaned down. His thin lips were oddly curved into a smirk.
"He has charisma," she finally thought. "That's what it is. It's not pride or arrogance. His confidence takes its shape in charisma."
Faleron lifted one eyebrow. "Do you find something interesting, Officer?"
"What's a guy like you doing as a thief?" she blurted. The rest of the Street Pirates started to laugh. Cleon tightened his grip on his guns and Joren shot them a menacing look from the corner as he conversed with Headquarters.
Wilson, the man with the scar, fiddled with his cuffs while he talked. He jerked a thumb toward Faleron. "Our buddy boy here was in the good life up until his father made a bad move and gambled away the family's fortune. Good thing for Fal, he had the idea to take off on his own and scrape together the Street Pirates."
"He tried anyway!" the card dealer laughed. Faleron gave a little bow.
"Please don't judge me on that though," the young man said. "My sharp mind was born for better things." He chuckled. "I've actually started to enjoy this life."
Awed and angry at his overwhelming sense of command and control, Keladry opened her mouth to speak, but Joren walked up to them. He called their attention. "I've talked with the commissioner in person since he was so interested in Officer Kennan's progress. We abort the mission to find our Mr. Trebond and head home with these four thieves in tow." His face was shadowed by his next sentence. "After that, we will be off duty until Commissioner Wyldon deems our failures worthy of forgiveness."
"What!" Cleon shouted. "That's not fair!"
"You're still on probation," Joren reminded. "Be thankful he didn't throw you into apprenticeship, rookie."
"Humph."
~~
They stayed in Rogue Bay for one last night. Each officer took shifts for guarding the band of thieves and then returning the stolen goods from the warehouse. It was two hours past midnight when Keladry woke up to take over for Cleon. She entered the room where the four were still restrained. Cleon yawned. He was sitting on a chair that he tilted on its back legs by pushing off the wall.
"You know, you could fall."
"Aww, no I won't."
Faleron stomped on the old floor, causing it to shake. Before he knew it, Cleon was tipping backwards, falling out of his chair. He landed with a thud. "Ow! Hey, you--"
"Cleon, go to sleep," Keladry said and helped him off the floor. After that, she gently pushed him along by the shoulders until he was out the door. The four thieves snickered to themselves. Keladry glared at them, righted the fallen chair, and sat down.
She paid special attention to their young leader. He smiled back at her innocently. She never knew she could come to dislike anyone as fast as she disliked him. Well, the exception was Joren, but that was under complete different circumstances. It wasn't that Faleron had done initially so much to annoy her-- as in stealing some of her more personal items. It was his apparently inborn sense of calmness that she disliked.
All right, she admitted it. She was jealous. Keladry only wished she possessed the attitude he had. She was often non-expressional, and sometimes lecturing, but she didn't have the leadership skills for others to follow her. Faleron did.
"My, my, Officer. You've been staring at me for some time now," the man in question remarked. He narrowed his eyes, but did not cease his smile. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were feeling some strong resentment towards me, yes?"
She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "No. Not any more resentment than I have for anyone else who has broken the law."
He nodded slowly. The way he looked at her showed that he had some of his own curious thoughts.
"Well, then, if that's the case, Officer, I believe the latter of us dirty rotten scoundrels will get some sleep before we're dragged away to a life time behind bars." And with that, he stretched out on the floor with his uncomfortably cuffed wrists behind his head. The other three followed his example albeit a little reluctantly. Keladry supposed that even they had a difficult time figuring out their leader's motives.
There was silence. Keladry sat in the wooden chair, bored out of her mind. It truly seemed that the four men were asleep.
"What am I worrying about?" she asked herself. "Nothing could possibly happen. But I have to stay awake for just one more hour." Even with the incentive of sleep, Keladry could not help herself. After a couple of minutes, her eyelids started to droop. She shook her head, trying to keep her eyes open. But once again, her eyes closed. Her chin rested on her chest.
And just her luck, she had another bitter dream.
"You know, you're kind of cute."
"Can I at least know your name?"
"Keladry. It's nice to meet you. My name is…"
"So, you're already a senior cadet? That's quite an accomplishment."
"Me? Oh, I'm about a year behind you. Kind of makes me want to work harder-- not that I won't. I'll work very hard."
"It's nice of you to say that. But I think I'll just go at my own pace. Say, why don't I treat you to lunch? A girl like you needs the reward! Aww, come on. What do you say?"
"Oh. I see. Well, maybe I'll see you around, huh? Bye!"
…
"Oh, hi! I thought that was you when I walked by. Listen, are you doing anything tonight? Would you like to go out with me?"
"Oh. Busy. Oh, sure. It's okay. I'll just catch you later. Bye."
…
"Now, you know you owe me a date. I'm not trying to sound bossy or anything, but I just want to let you know that I'd really like a chance. How many times have you been…'busy'?"
"No, no, I'm not getting angry. I'm just worried that you're taking all of this too fast. People need to enjoy their youth."
"So you will?"
"Really?"
"Great! I'll see you tonight!"
…
"Oh, hey, Kel. I hope you don't mind me calling you that."
"Well, you can call me by my nickname, too. Are you excited about tonight? It's going to be quite a party."
"What? You… you can't go?"
"Oh, yeah. I understand. I'll, um, see you."
…
"Hey, Kel."
"No, I'm not here to try and convince you to go out with me."
"No, wait, Kel. Can I say something first? Well, I just want to let you know that… Oh God this is hard for me to say. To put it bluntly, I'm not going to bother and ask you out anymore. Kel, your ambition is what's keeping me from asking."
"No, I don't have a problem against your determination to graduate. But even the most determined people need to take a fucking break before they become older beyond their years and seem to have had no damn youth at all. And even then, you might not even reach your stupid goal."
"I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to curse. No, wait. You know what? I'm not sorry. Maybe I'm just not the person to help you realize all of this. I blame myself for not being more patient."
"You'll probably have friends who will think they're close to you, but they won't really be. I can just see it. You sit with them and talk sometimes, but that'll probably be it. They'll have fun and you will pass the opportunity most the time."
"You know what? This is far too depressing. I'll… I'll just see you later. Maybe."
"I'm sincerely sorry for this."
Keladry opened her eyes. She gasped as she felt the barrel of her own gun pressed to the side of her head. Faleron stood holding the weapon with his hands, which were still cuffed. His expression was serious, and a little sad. "Would you please put the keys to the cuffs on the floor and kick them to Wilson?"
She looked over at the other three men. They sat quietly on the floor, waiting for her. She couldn't believe how careless she had been for allowing herself to sleep. And she didn't even have a good dream-- just a nightmare of memories. Keladry looked back to Faleron. "You won't shoot me. You're bluffing."
His sadness became more abundant in his eyes. He sighed and said in a small voice nothing like his usual, "Officer, did you ever hear the phrase 'desperate people will do desperate things'?"
"Help," she whispered to unseen presences. She closed her eyes and shakily withdrew the small card key that unlocked the cuffs from her pocket. She dropped it onto the floor and kicked it over to the rest of the thieves. They quickly took their shackles off, climbing to their feet and waiting for Faleron's next orders.
"Get out of here."
"Fal?" Are you okay?" Morrison asked. He inched towards the leader.
"You heard me!" he said louder, but not enough for anyone outside the room to hear. "Get out now! Go through the back window."
"But--"
"Now!"
The three older men, frightened by his tone, did as they were told and undid the locks on the window. As they climbed out, Keladry concentrated on her captor. His hands were shaking, but the gun remained pressed to her head. She was starting to sweat out of anxiety. Would he be crazy enough to do anything to her?
"He's not like that," she told herself. "He may be a thief, but he could never be a murderer. There's something far too human inside of him to be a killer."
Joren and Cleon burst into the room. All within the matter of seconds, the three thieves flung themselves out the window, which was shot with bullets. Faleron froze for a mere second, enough for Keladry to twist around and toss him over her hip. He slammed into the floor, the gun in his hands. He futilely aimed at the two male officers, but Cleon was faster. One loud shot and the gun was knocked out of his hands.
"Go after the other three!" Joren yelled. Cleon sprinted toward the window, clearing away the broken shards sticking out from the windowpane. Then he leapt out onto the ground outside and chased after the fleeing thieves. In the meantime, Keladry dove for her gun at the same time as Faleron. They collided and grappled for the weapon. Joren aimed for a few seconds. They twisted around too much for him to get a clear shot. He swore and joined in the fight.
"Back off!" Faleron warned Joren and punched him in the stomach. Keladry tackled him from behind, pinning him to the floor.
"Move, now!" Joren yelled to Keladry. She rolled off of Faleron just as he was moving to throw her off and run away. Joren grabbed the gun and squeezed off one round.
It struck the dark haired young man in the side. He reached the doorway when he fell, crying out in pain. Keladry stood up. Her heart was racing. Joren approached the fallen man slowly, still training his gun on him. Faleron only lay in pain, clutching his side. It was a shallow wound, as far as she could tell. "Stone--"
"Cuff him again. And this time, let me have the damn key."
~~
Cleon returned empty handed except for a heaving chest and lungs aching for more air. He panted still as he sat down in the wooden chair in the room where they had held the thieves. Faleron, unconscious but well, was laid out on his back on the hotel bed. His midsection was wrapped in bandages and gauze over the wound. His breathing was calm, and he looked to be out for hours. Keladry stood nervously beside the bed. She absently wiped her hands clean of Faleron's blood. She had put the bandage on him after cuffing him. Joren stood with his arms folded. His expression was deadly.
"Mindelan," he said in a tight, even voice.
She looked up to him with dread.
"You fell asleep."
"Yes," she replied, not bothering to find an excuse. It was all her fault.
"You let him get possession of your weapon."
"Yes."
"And you allowed the rest of the suspects to escape," he said in such a monotonous tone that Keladry was terrified on the inside. She willed her blank mask to go up, but it was rapidly crumbling. The pressure of failure was too great on her.
"Yes."
Joren's fury exploded. "What the hell is wrong with you? Do you have any idea of what you just did?" He stalked up to her and began screaming to her face. "Because of you, our very jobs are at danger! This hotel room has to be paid for, we have to report that we lost three suspects because you took a fucking nap, and the one left is half dead because I had no other choice but to shoot him to save your sorry ass!"
She bit down on her tongue to keep her from crying out with anything stupid. Her head was pounding. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her eyes from getting moist. It was absolutely childish. Keladry was ashamed that she was on the verge of breaking down for what she had done.
Cleon stood up uneasily, still catching his breath. "Stone, she didn't mean to do it."
"It doesn't matter whether she meant to or not. The fact is, she did it and now we're all going to have to pay!" he bellowed.
"How's it any different from when I left my damn guns behind and they got stolen huh?" the redhead said, starting to raise his voice. "Are you telling me the shit load of trouble I caused is worse than hers?"
"Those were objects, Cleon, not people!" Joren shouted. His mouth bent into a sneer. "And don't you raise your voice to me."
Cleon did a mock salute, still glaring angrily at the special operative. "Yes, sir. I think I'll go take a walk and sleep in a different hotel, sir."
He stomped out the door and slammed it behind him. This left Joren and Keladry alone with Faleron on the bed. She gulped, and folded her arms nervously. She didn't dare look anywhere else but at his shoes. He walked up to her.
"I'll watch him for the rest of the night. Go. Get out of here."
She nodded and walked away. When she reached the door, she turned around. Joren's back was toward her. His hands were braced on his hips and his head down. She didn't know what else to do. They would probably be demoted for everything they've done all the way from Ozorne to this. They couldn't even find a missing person.
"I'm sorry," she whispered and left.
Joren turned his head slightly, having heard her. He let out a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose between his eyes. He sat down in the wooden chair beside the bed. It wasn't long before his pager started beeping.
"What the… Mr. Salmalin? Numair Salmalin?"
He crossed the room to use the phone and quickly dialed the number that appeared on his pager. Numair answered. He looked tired from the circles under his eyes and drooping eyelids. "Good evening, Stone."
"Mr. Salmalin."
"How's the search for Thom?"
Joren shook his head. "Wyldon took us off that case when we caught some suspects for something else."
The Councilman nodded. "I see. Well, I need you back on the case. We still need to find Thom."
"I'd suggest you talk to Wyldon about that."
"He won't give us any more officers."
Joren sighed. "Even if I wanted the job, I couldn't take it. We have a suspect under arrest and wounded with us that we have to bring to Tortall."
"Who is it?" Numair frowned.
"That guy over there," Joren moved the screen so it faced the bed. The older man gasped.
"Faleron King? He's a thief?"
The blonde's eyebrows arched in slight surprise. "Do you know this man?"
"He's the son of the former mayor of Corinth before the mayor got thrown out of office for gambling."
"I see."
The councilman tapped his chin. "Stone, don't worry about Faleron. He won't cause you any trouble. Just ask him what his little cousin Merric Hollyrose would think of him. That'll put him in his place. The young man is really okay. Faleron has a brilliant mind. He's just gotten desperate."
"So it seems."
"In any case, please, find Thom. Let Daine and me worry about Wyldon. We can take care of him."
"As you wish. " Joren hung up. He looked over at the prone form on the bed. "Desperate. Aren't we all…"
~~
Keladry lied in bed, curled up on her side. She managed to fight off tears. All her hard emotional training through the years prepared her for times like these. Times like those.
"…But even the most determined people need to take a fucking break before they become older beyond their years and seem to have had no damn youth at all. And even then, you might not even reach your stupid goal…"
"Have I just been lucky this whole time?" she asked herself aloud. "Have I only gotten this far because of luck instead of the skill and knowledge I worked at so hard to learn?"
She closed her eyes because she knew she wouldn't receive an answer. Before she fell asleep, she heard the door open. It was probably Cleon checking up on her. But wait, didn't he say he was going to another hotel? The door closed, and Keladry soon fell asleep, dreaming of nothing.
~~
Author: I know, I know. Lacking humor. Somewhat sad and depressing. You knew that there eventually had to be a lull in the story like this. Don't worry. Humor will always be a big objective for me. I'll do much better next time.
Closing Credits:
Special thanks to those who helped me with descriptions:
(Note: these people are VERY cool. Do not mess with them.)
Kestrel
Erin (Hyper Girl to the Rescue)
Sullychkk (Whose name is Caitie…)
And also to the people who volunteered to help with my web page:
FireLily
Jaelawyn Noble
And if anyone is good with fixing web pages, please e-mail me. My e-mail is listed at top.
AND…
The pages for Character Statistics.
*Please note that these end with .htm and not .html due to some mistake upon my computer. I'll correct it someday.
http://www.geocities.com/silvrblade.geo/silverdragon/fanfics/futurekel.htm
http://www.geocities.com/silvrblade.geo/silverdragon/fanfics/futurejoren.htm
http://www.geocities.com/silvrblade.geo/silverdragon/fanfics/futureneal.htm
http://www.geocities.com/silvrblade.geo/silverdragon/fanfics/futureowen.htm
http://www.geocities.com/silvrblade.geo/silverdragon/fanfics/futurecleon.htm
And by the way, if Cleon's page pops up before the correct character's does, please ignore. Weird quirk I have to figure out, okay?