Chapter 7

Chapter 9

Jondy felt a pang of sympathy for the cousins as she quietly entered the room. Suddenly Caitlin began pacing, her erratic movements the embodiment of her inner turmoil. Logan sat quietly on the edge of the bed waiting for Jody to continue. Jondy calmly watched Caitlin pace for a few minutes before she began.

"Zack and Max are terrified of falling in love. Life in Hell more commonly known as "mightily Manticore" consisted of rules, torture, training sims and "Daddy Lydecker". When we were about three we got our first "emotions are weak" speech. Those become Lydecker's favorite. Every morning before our time in the pool, Lydecker's voice would echo off the walls "LOVE IS A WEAKNESS! You are soldiers! FEAR IS A WEAKNESS! You are soldiers." I am and have no doubt that both Max and Zack are still haunted by that voice" Jondy voice and eyes were far away as if she was reliving the nightmare.

Before they could reply there was a knock at Caitlin door, "Madame Cale, your mother is asking for you," said a muffled voice. Caitlin sighed at turned to Jondy " Thanks." She said softly and then she walked of to Logan " We better go." He nodded as they reached the doorway Jondy's voice called, "They love you. They try with every fiber of their genetically enhanced being to fight it but they do regardless."

After dinner and an hour-long integration form her mother about what was wrong. Caitlin approached Zack as he was making his way to Jondy's room. As he turned to face her, Caitlin breath caught in her throat his face was cold. "What do you want?" he asked without a trace of the pain he felt.

"Zack …. " she began

"Look whatever Jondy told you is not true what happen between is over it should never have began in the first place. Get over it Cat, I have." He said the last part with all the conviction of the trained soldier. Despite the fact that his heart was shattering, Zack turned and walked away.

Caitlin turned and ran blindly through the corridors her vision was clouded as she flung the door of her bedroom open and stumbled inside, she lay down on the floor an curled up in a fetal position letting her tears flow freely.


When the doors to her room were rudely flung open several hours later the last thing Caitlin wanted to do was face whoever was responsible. It was her mother a whirlwind of excitement. She seemed oblivious to her daughter's agony. "Caitlin get up of the floor and make yourself presentable. Brad Yoke is here to see you." She said excitedly

20 minutes later a very reluctant Caitlin stood in her most hated outfit. It was a gittery gold dress she had brought it under threat of death from her parents. The dress also happened to make her look stunning- this was proven by Brad open mouth and bulging eyes when she entered the room.

"You….that….you...." He was so shock he couldn't get past weak pronouns. Caitlin sighed and forced herself to smile as Brad invited her to sit. As she waited for him to speak Caitlin found herself thinking up ways to kill her mother for making her wear this dress. She couldn't move!

"Caitlin I wanted to apologize for my behavior at the last party it was completely inappropriate," he sounded sincere and he didn't have that cocky smile.

He tried to make a joke " I saw you at the karate tournament. Has any man ever tamed you?"

Caitlin felt a wave of tears threatens to engulf her at the mention of the tournament Zack ! She put her glass of tea down as her hands began to shake. It all came back to her Zack giving her the bear, their first kiss and a myriad of other images danced mockingly through her head. Brad lent over frowning with concern "Caitlin are you alright?"

"I fine what do you want Brad?" she lied

" I want you to give a chance, one night one to let me prove to you that I'm not a complete and utter jerk." He took her hand and pleaded with his eyes

No!!!! Her soul screamed but her mind whispered. Zack had rejected her hadn't he?

Her voice was flat and emotionless as she said "Yes."


Hours later Caitlin stood in front of her full-length mirror. She looked beautiful in a creamy white dress with her hair tumbling mid-way down her back. "Its not going to work Cat," said a voice behind her It was Logan he walked behind her and placed something around her neck- it was her aunts locket! "But if your to try a lest knock them dead."

Was there something wrong with her? Caitlin thought hours later. Here was a perfectly decent guy trying to redeem himself and all she could think about was how every part of him did not measure to Zack

Finally Caitlin gave up with the excuse that she needed to the bathroom, and she fled. Pushing past startled guests and whispering press Caitlin made her way to the lift. When she reach the top level she got out it was the roof. She walked to the edge and sat down.

"Cat," a familiar voice,

It took all her strength not to hurl herself into Zack's arms. She slowly turned to face him. He looked as beautiful ever in his jeans and black leather jacket "What do you want?" she had to fight to keep her voice from trembling.

"To see if you're ok," he said softly

"To see if I'm ok?" she mimicked, "Lets see in space of 2 days the guy I love has confessed his love, revealed his secret identity, dumped me and followed me to see if I'm OK!"

Zack didn't say anything as she pushed past him and got into the lift.

In the lift Caitlin slid to the floor and began to sob.

Over the next couple of weeks Caitlin and Brad went on numerous dates much to the delight of Caitlin's mother. Mrs. Cale was throwing a party on the coming Saturday to celebrate. She had dragged a reluctant Jondy, Max and Logan out to shop. Caitlin had plead illness.

'Crap,' Zack thought as his hands began to shake. The only person in the house was Caitlin.

Caitlin looked up at the sudden knock at her bedroom door. "Come in". Nobody came Caitlin sighed in annoyance and opened the door thinking it was some maid. Zack stood leaning heavily on the doorframe he was trembling violently. Caitlin could see that he was struggling to stand up.

"What's wrong Zack?" she ask as she led him to her bed. As Caitlin placed him gently on the bed he whispered, "Pills…pocket."

Caitlin began a feverish search. When she found them she poured them onto the bedspread she pried his jaw open and placed two of the pills into his mouth. Zack forced himself to sallow. Caitlin was about to go and get some water when Zack grabbed her wrist. "Don't leave me please." he gasped. Zack had never sounded so vulnerable. Caitlin climbed onto the bed and lay down beside him. She ran her hand through his hair and rocked him gently.

"I'm sorry Cat," he kept muttering.

"Shhhhh its ok" she said gently.

Zack reach out a shaking hand and gently traced the curves of her tear stained face. Zack lent forward kissed her on the lips he trailed his shaking hands through her hair and whispered, "I love you."