AN: Wassup? I'm sorry its taken so long!! Okay! Too much homework! This
chapter is here for all you who love Van and Fiona fluff! Yup, you heard
it! Now I won't hold you anyone more! Here it is chapter 9!
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Fiona stood on the balcony outside of her room, and stared up at the stars that lit the night sky. Her thoughts some place else, mostly she was thinking about the battle today with Xena and Van. She could have sworn she had him, but now she was not so sure. After the police had had threatened to arrest all of them minutes after the Genobreaker had finished beating the Lightening Saix senseless, Xena had jumped out of the cockpit. Van had followed the suit, although he claimed he was just doing it so he could prove his position in the military not to mention their innocence. The cops had tried to arrest Xena but she resisted and raced to the Genobreaker where she and Raven made their escape.
Now almost six hours later, Fiona wondered what was going on. She had never felt so confused before about something so trivial. She wanted to talk to someone but there was no one to talk to, Moonbay was asleep she had almost died from laughter when everyone came back. The only hurt thing Irvine had was his pride, not to mention his fractured leg. Which Fiona had to admit was pretty funny; Van and Moonbay wouldn't stop teasing him about it.
She sighed. "I wish I knew what was going on. Whether or not Van likes me."
Oh sure they had kissed twice but that doesn't automatically mean anything. He didn't say he cared or anything. Maybe Fiona was just worried about losing Van when she had nothing to worry, who knew?
"God I am so confused. I don't know whether it's all in my head or if it's reality."
"What's all in your head?" a male voice asked from behind her.
Fiona turned around to see Van standing there, his hand on his hip. His head cocked to one side.
"Nothing."
Van walked up to the balcony rail and stared up at the sky. Fiona watched his movements with concern, 'oh Fiona get over it, if you're so paranoid why don't you just ask him already and get it over with!' she mentally screamed at herself.
"You see that?" Van pointed to a constellation of stars in the sky. "It looks like a Blade Liger."
Fiona looked up at the constellation in question and frowned. "No, it looks like a kitten."
Van turned to her. "Jigga what? Na uh! A Blade Liger!"
"Kitten!"
"Blade Liger!"
"No, a kitten!"
"C'mon can't you see it? It so totally a Blade Liger!"
"You're hopeless!" Fiona exclaimed, exasperated. She returned her attention back onto the night sky.
Van grinned while apart of him wondered why Fiona was being so cold to him all of a sudden. He shrugged it off; she probably was just worn out by the day's events. Hell, he had to admit he was, and he was damn lucky he got his Blade Liger back in one piece too.
"That constellation looks like Irvine waving his crutches at you," Fiona indicated to one below the one Van had shown her. She giggled softly.
Van looked up and laughed. "It looks more like a Saber Fang to me. Though.if I squint one eye it does kinda look like Irvine getting pissed at me."
"Is all you see somehow related to zoids? Every single constellation you see is a zoid!"
"Can't help it if that's what I see," he shrugged.
Fiona watched him from the corner of her eye, he closed his eyes and let his head tilt downwards. No matter what he did, Van still looked good; even if he wasn't trying he looked fine. It wasn't fair! Why did she have to stuck with someone who was naturally sexy? It wasn't hard to see why Xena said she liked him, but with Xena she could have been saying that just to say it one never knew.
"I guess."
Van took deep breaths in an attempt to clear his thoughts; Fiona's actions were confusing him. Was she suddenly uninterested in him? Or was she angry with him for some unknown reason? Maybe even both? He mentally cursed, why did girls have to be so confusing? You think they'll do one thing and then they go around and do the complete opposite. Women. Who understood them? Certainly not Van Flyheight, who was just as mystified and intrigued by them as the next guy.
He opened one eye and noticed Fiona's hands were trembling. He quickly turned to her, both of his gray eyes open and alarmed.
"Fiona! What's wrong?" he asked, worried.
Fiona blinked. "Hmm? What is it?" She titled her head curiously.
Van grabbed her hand with such care and held it in front of her. To his surprise his touch only made her hands shake more. He looked her straight in eye but all he could see in those sunset pools was confusion, she didn't understand. Van could feel her shake and it made him increasingly concerned.
"Van? What are you doing?" Fiona asked.
Van groaned and smacked his forehead. "Look! Are you blind? Look at your hand!"
She did so; she saw that they were in fact trembling but nothing that made her concerned. Fiona wondered why Van was SO concerned, it was no big deal. Then it hit her: he cared. He cared about her. He actually truly cared for her, that or he's a hell of an actor. 'What the? No! Van would never lie to me! Besides.he's not that good of an actor' she thought. She was making a mountain out of a molehill. Van really was just flirting with Xena because she flirted with him first, he didn't care for her, and he cared for Fiona. The last thought overwhelmed her with joy.
"I see it, Van. But I find nothing of concern," she replied simply.
"You don't? What's wrong? There has to be something wrong!"
Fiona fought the urge to smirk; she had Van wrapped around her little finger. She bet that if she'd ask for something Van would do it. Might as well test her theory.
"Oh you're right, I feel a bit faint," Fiona placed her free hand over her eyes. "Would you be so kind as to get me a glass of water?"
Van gasped and nodded quickly, he looked around the balcony helplessly. Then he saw a glass of water on Fiona's bed stand. She peeked through a gap of her fingers just in time to see Van quickly kiss her fingertip and rush inside the room to get the glass.
"Fiona just hang on!" he called from inside the room.
Fiona snickered to herself, her plan had worked perfectly. Who'd a thought? Just as she thought, how intriguing. "Oh God, I don't know how much longer I can stay standing." she let the weight of her head fall backwards as she awkwardly leaned against the pearly white rail.
"If you're in a dark tunnel stay away from the light!"
Just as she had predicted, Van raced back to her side, the glass of water in hand. He wrapped his free arm around the curve of her back, positioned his ankle so Fiona couldn't fall without him catching her.
"You okay?"
Fiona peered through the gaps of her hand as she tilted her hand up to see Van looking at her with a worried frown. Which she had to admit it was kind of cute frown, oh God what was the matter with her? Couldn't she just accept the fact Van cared for her and she had him hooked? Why must she play these games? 'Cause their fun.'
"I guesso," she was getting into her 'acting'. Her conscious screaming at her to stop preying upon Van's feelings for her but she was enjoying herself.
"D-do you need to lay down? Or something? Oh! I almost forgot, here I got you some water," Van gulped and wondered how the heck he was going to help her take a sip of water if he was in such an awkward position.
Fiona let her arm fall to her side; she looked Van in the eye and saw concern, fear, confusion, and love. It broke her heart, how could she have done such a thing to him? He genuinely cared about her only she was too blind to see it. Now her conscious was laughing victoriously.
She shook her head and tried to stand up straight but Van was in the way. "No, no I'm fine. I don't know what came over me, it must have been from thinking to hard." 'Thinking too hard?! Where did THAT come from?? I'm making myself sound like a dumb blonde!'
"You sure? You look a lil' pale if you ask me. Maybe you should come inside and sit down," Van suggested.
Fiona sighed in defeat; she might as well do it his way because he'd refuse to budge if it was any other way. Besides it would give her a opportunity to ask Van what he thought of Xena, at least he wouldn't lie to her. Too bad he couldn't say the same about her.
"Okay Dr. Van."
Van grinned and led her into the dimly lit room. He hoped she was all right, because she really didn't look all right. There was something not right about the whole situation, besides the fact it was close to midnight they were all alone in HER bedroom and he could get lucky, she looked ill and she was still shaking. He bet it had something to do with what happened today, after that Xena girl seemed pretty angry when the cops came and swore to get back to them on the battlefield. But then again, from the looks of it that Xena got pissed easily. He sat her on her bed.
"How do you feel now?"
Fiona frowned; okay, at first it was cute that he cared about her but now it was just plain annoying. She didn't have the heart to tell him to stop because he was getting on her nerves.
"I feel fine, Van. I honestly do, now will you just drop it!" she growled.
Van blinked but decided it was best not to ask anything questions. Fiona was not in a good mood and she made no attempt to hide it. Women, he thought, they're so moody! He remembered once his sister, Maria, came home from shopping... she was happy and showed Van all the clothes she bought, he was about eleven at the time. All Van said was "Gee Maria, I didn't know you liked the color pink," and then she started yelling at him "Pink?! Does this look like PINK to you?? It's ROSE!! DUMMY!!! DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING??!?!?!" he shuddered at the memory.
"Uh okay, I'll shut up now," he said carefully, unsure of what to do next.
Fiona's conscious got the best of her again. She groaned and said, "I'm sorry Van, and I didn't mean to snap at you. I appreciate your concern and all it's just.you can only do so much before it becomes annoying. you know what I mean? Who am I kidding, you don't do you, just forget I said anything."
"No. You didn't give me a chance to answer, I understand. In a weird messed up way I understand," Van smiled warmly at her. "Fiona, if you ever need anything someone to talk to or anything know I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
He held her small hand in his big hands and kissed her fingertips, the shaking of her hands ceased.
"I know," she whispered as Van laid a trail of kisses on her neck.
Fiona was losing herself in the moment and she was loving every second of it. Van's lips caressed the soft flesh of her neck. He took his sweet time.
"Van?" Fiona stared up at the ceiling, now was as good time as any to ask him about Xena. He's the one who said he'd be there for her if she needed anything; right now she needed to some peace.
"Hmm?" he busied himself by giving her a little love bite on her jaw line.
Van forced himself to stop even though he wanted so badly to continue, he propped his hands under his chin and waited patiently for her to continue.
Fiona hesitated before continuing. "What do you think about Xena?"
"I don't really know anything about her, but if you want the truth I find her a little intriguing. In a bad girl kind of way, you don't know what she's going to do next."
"Uh huh, so you find her attractive?"
Van laughed softly, he had a feeling he knew exactly where this conversation was going. "Fiona what is this? An interrogation?" he laughed again at the serious look on Fiona's face, then his mood turned somber. "I mean sure, she has that element of danger about her but no, I don't find her attractive. I find you attractive."
"What element of danger? What's so dangerous about her?"
"What I mean is, Xena is like a bad girl. Okay, a bad girl. Bad girls appeal to a lot of guys because they like to get down and naughty, but she doesn't appeal to me! That's because she's not my type!"
She ignored the last part. "Why do you think she's with Raven? They bicker like an old married couple."
Van groaned and rolled onto his back. She wasn't giving up the subject and at this rate it would be morning by the time she'd be happy and then they'd have to go to work so no love action for him tonight. No passionate kiss. No nothing. Oh happy day.
"I honestly don't know. I had assumed they were going out by the way they were acting."
"No that doesn't seem right," Fiona said thoughtfully, placing her hand on her chin completely unaware of Van's constant sighs and groans.
"Why not?! It seems perfectly fine to me!"
"It's not right. if I remember correctly back in our lives as Ancient Zoidians; Xena was always dating guys who weren't in our village. She didn't like the guys in the village because she knew them, something like that. Raven never struck me as her type, but if he is I'm glad. Then Raven might actually have a reason to live for other than to defeat you, Van."
Van nodded. "For Raven's sake I hope they are together."
Fiona turned on her side so she faced Van, who was staring at the ceiling, she touched his cheek. She felt suddenly silly for asking all those questions about Xena, 'You silly girl it's about time you got some common sense!'
"Hmm?" Van titled his head; he assumed she still wanted to talk. "Yeah?"
At the spur of the moment Fiona pressed her lips against his. Van moved in such a way that she was underneath him without breaking the kiss. Only adding fuel to flame.
Meanwhile.
"I wonder what's so funny," Moonbay muttered as she stretched out on the couch in the 'living' quarters.
Irvine shrugged. "Kids. They laugh over the dumbest things..who knows?"
They were watching a late night Friends marathon even thought it was five in the morning at they were supposed to be up by seven, oh well. Two hours of sleep never killed anyone; hopefully it'll be a slow day so they could sneak in some naps during lunch.
Moonbay agreed, Fiona had been a bad mood all day after that battle with this other Ancient Zoidian Xena. She heard a rumor that Van liked Xena and the feeling was mutual, that was supposedly why she stole the Blade Liger to arrange a meeting with her secret lover. But Moonbay didn't buy that for a second. No, from what Irvine told her about Xena was that she was young and ruthless, a female version of Van when he was 17. Odd how Irvine had a fractured leg and here he was snuggling up to her watching Friends, laughing every so often.
"Yeah, I guess. But, aren't you a little bit worried about the situation?" she asked.
Irvine met her eyes and returned his attention to the TV screen were Joey was telling Phoebe that he was going to purpose to Rachael. The irony was Ross was going to purpose to Rachael as well!
"A little," Irvine admitted. "But I don't care if she and Raven are an item, all I care about is getting Van, Raven and her for ruining my poor Lightening Saix!"
Moonbay let out an exasperated sigh and threw her hands in the air. "Is that all you care about? Your stupid zoid? It's not ruined dumbass! Dr. D is working on it even as we speak it'll be fine in no time!"
"I know. It's just that when I say I'll get revenge on someone, I will."
"I don't think Van and Fiona care about the situation," Moonbay retorted in a small voice.
This was upsetting her, she needed someone to talk to, share her worries with. But there was no one. For the first time in her life she felt totally and utterly alone. It was obvious that Irvine didn't want to talk, but she couldn't let it down. She only wished he'd get that stick out of his ass and be there for her already, she needed someone to talk to dammit!
"Of course they don't, they're young. They think that just because Raven has a girl he'd stop destroying things but I think his girl likes annihilating things more than he does."
"And yet again youth is on their side. But don't you find it the least bit odd that all this is happening after Van changed?"
"What I find odd is that you woke me up from my nice warm comfy bed to watch TV with you and you're not letting me watch! But you're right," he said finally, feeling a little sorry for yelling at Moonbay. "I doubt this is all coincidence though, all these events happening exactly one after another, I think this could be apart of someone's plan. And everyone is just a pawn, including Raven and Reese whether they like it or not."
"Uh huh, see? I told ya it made sense! The only thing is Van is acting so strangely."
Irvine shrugged and chuckled at the irony on the screen. "I don't know Moonbay, if you want I'll talk to him later, okay? Because I know you'll never let it down until I do, you worry about him like a mother would!"
Moonbay blushed and socked him in the shoulder. "I do not! That is bullshit, Irvine! I can't help it if Van makes me age ten years in just one battle!"
"Ah ha! I told you, you DO mother him. He's not a kid anymore. And did you know he used to have a crush on you?" Irvine started laughing softly and he received a pretty pink and black bruise on the side of his arm, thanks to an angry transporter.
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Fiona smiled as she watched Van sleep peacefully beside her; he had fallen asleep before anything else had transpired. And she was almost positive he was going to start drooling on her nice not to mention new shirt. Her body was exhausted while her mind was still wide-awake and mulling over the dumbest things, like how do they make those lotions smell so good? When is the next time she's going to the mall? And the thing was, Fiona never really liked or got the chance to go the mall.
She took a deep breath to clear her thoughts so she could join Van in dreamland, although she doubted she'd be there at any rate. Her mind was determined to stay awake and it was beginning to drive her mad! On top of that, her leg was going numb and she had no way of moving. Van was cuddling up to her, preventing her from moving from his iron grasp.
Agh; that damned leg was still numb.
"Van, please wake up. My leg.!" she pleaded desperately.
He frowned and snuggled closer to her, that leg of hers was now painless but she knew that meant it would take some time in order for her to move it before it started turning black and blue. Fiona wished he could read her mind then he'd know that she wanted him to move! Ah!
"Van! PLEASE move! My leg.my poor innocent little leg.what did it ever do to you?"
Fiona gasped as disturbing images passed before her eyes: she saw Raven, his purple eyes wide with. no, this can't be right..horror. His face was wet, his hair clung to his face. But it was his eyes that made Fiona uneasy, they were so full emotion which was quite unusual for him, they had this innocent childlike fear in them like he was seeing something that brought back painful memories from his past.
Next she saw Xena: two men held her arms behind her back. She fought viciously, men pushed her next to Raven. She rose to her knees and grabbed Raven by the shoulders and shook him.
"Raven! What is it?! Why are you afraid?"
Raven turned to her, his small pupils sending chills up and down Fiona's spine; why was she witnessing this?
"This c-can't b-e.happening!" his voice went high.
Xena frowned and shook him again, she opened her mouth to say something but then she fell over on her side. The ends of her silver hair turned a sickening red. Raven was probably just as shocked as Fiona was, something or someone must have called him because he tore his eyes away and to the front of him. He shook his head wildly and said something Fiona couldn't hear.
Fiona came back to the real world with a jolt, to her ultimate joy Van had changed positions and he was currently laying on his stomach and pillow over his head.
"Yes!" she said in a high whisper. "Thank you! Thank you!"
She leapt out of bed, careful not to wake Van, and tumbled around her closet for some clothes to wear. Damn, all of her dresses were being washed so that left only her old clothes from when she was 17. It was too early to ask Moonbay for clothes to borrow. She was on a mission, she had to find Raven and warn him. The only question was: were would she find Raven?
Fiona raced out of her room and down the dark halls it was 3:30 in the morning according to a clock on a wall. Not many people would be up at this time so she would have to get a zoid to find Raven. Meanwhile, Fiona was started to think it wasn't the smartest idea to save those clothes because they were hiking up.
BAM! In her hurry, Fiona didn't pay any attention to where she was going and she knocked into someone.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry.." She looked up at the face of a solider with black hair and dark eyes, there wasn't enough light for her to see the color of them.
"I wasn't watching where I was going."
She recognized him as Evan Mathers, the solider that came from the Zerconia base in the west, although she remembered him as flamboyant blonde. Oh well. He stood up and wiped the dust off of his clothes, and met her eyes and Fiona saw they were a dark hazel color. He glanced around and said, "Next time watch where you're going."
Fiona blinked and nodded meekly. "Um, okay sure."
She got up and walked right past him and raced down a flight of stairs to the hangar. Evan Mathers watched her disappear around the bend; she was getting a little too curious he decided. He was going to have to make sure she didn't much closer.
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Fiona gazed around the dark and musty hangar with rows of zoids lined up on each wall, so many choices so little time. Which zoid was it gonna be? There was far too many of them to do eeny meany miney moo. It was too risky to take the Blade Liger because what if something happened and it was needed? She couldn't take that chance. So that left a Zaber Fang, one that hadn't seen the light of day in years, and a black zoid she had never seen before but was completely intrigued with. There was something about it she couldn't put her finger on, it was almost as if the zoid was watching her.
Eeny meany miney moo never lies, and apparently it said the Zaber Fang. Alright. She hoped into the cockpit and the zoid slowly came to life. Suddenly, the black zoid that Fiona had been interested in earlier roared to life and ran straight through the closed steel doors. Acting solely on impulse, Fiona followed. Her skills as a zoid pilot wasn't all that great but she was determined and it seemed almost as if the Zaber Fang understood and took off at full speed.
Five minutes later, the mysterious black zoid stopped at a small wooden cabin. Fiona maneuvered her zoid into the nearby woods so as it wouldn't be seen, the last thing she needed right now was confrontation. It threw it's mighty head back and roared.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I STOLE A ZOID BEFORE YOU DID!!!! STICK THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT, RAVEN!!!" the zoid crackled, before turning and running off into the desert.
Fiona sweat dropped; there was no denying who the pilot was. Xena. Only Xena would be cocky enough to steal a zoid and use her victory if you want to call it and stuff it into maybe the most dangerous not to mention wanted man in the world.
She leapt out of the cockpit and idly tapped the zoid's leg. "You stay here, I won't be too long. I just need to talk to someone."
The Zaber Fang nodded slowly and Fiona could have sworn it winked at her. She crept her way to the back door of the cabin where a sliding screen door was; she pulled it and entered inside. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Creepy. As she crawled on the crusty wooden floor, Fiona wished she hadn't worn this outfit more and more. She heard a faint snicker.
A raven colored blob popped up on the top of a gray couch before sliding down and disappearing from sight. Fiona straightened slowly, there was no telling what Raven could do it was like being locked in a cage with a fierce wild animal, you have no idea what to expect. Only this wild animal could kill in the blink of an eye.
She soon realized that he wasn't paying any attention to her and discovered why; he was deeply engrossed with a thick hard back book. Phew. She silently walked in front of him. Raven was sprawled out on the small couch, on his side, his legs hanging over the edge. Fiona tapped his left hand that was holding the book. With his free hand, Raven swatted the air in front of her not even bothering to look up.
"Go away," he muttered.
"Raven?"
His purple eyes met hers and then shot back down in the pages. Raven blinked several times and looked up at her again, disbelief written all over his features.
"Raven?" Fiona repeated, meekly like a child.
"What-? Are you doing here?"
"I have something to tell you, I think you should hear," Fiona said meeting his eyes.
Raven scowled but nodded. "Alright, you got ten seconds to tell me before I kill you." Fiona took in a deep breath to calm her racing heart. "Well, you see."
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A/N: OMG. My computer didn't save the ending of this chapter! So I had to rewrite it, that's why it took so long. God how many times am I gonna say that? Lol. Anyhoo, the chapter makes more sense now if you ask me. Read and Review like the good people I know you all are.
PEACE OUT!
~*Mi ChElLe*~
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Fiona stood on the balcony outside of her room, and stared up at the stars that lit the night sky. Her thoughts some place else, mostly she was thinking about the battle today with Xena and Van. She could have sworn she had him, but now she was not so sure. After the police had had threatened to arrest all of them minutes after the Genobreaker had finished beating the Lightening Saix senseless, Xena had jumped out of the cockpit. Van had followed the suit, although he claimed he was just doing it so he could prove his position in the military not to mention their innocence. The cops had tried to arrest Xena but she resisted and raced to the Genobreaker where she and Raven made their escape.
Now almost six hours later, Fiona wondered what was going on. She had never felt so confused before about something so trivial. She wanted to talk to someone but there was no one to talk to, Moonbay was asleep she had almost died from laughter when everyone came back. The only hurt thing Irvine had was his pride, not to mention his fractured leg. Which Fiona had to admit was pretty funny; Van and Moonbay wouldn't stop teasing him about it.
She sighed. "I wish I knew what was going on. Whether or not Van likes me."
Oh sure they had kissed twice but that doesn't automatically mean anything. He didn't say he cared or anything. Maybe Fiona was just worried about losing Van when she had nothing to worry, who knew?
"God I am so confused. I don't know whether it's all in my head or if it's reality."
"What's all in your head?" a male voice asked from behind her.
Fiona turned around to see Van standing there, his hand on his hip. His head cocked to one side.
"Nothing."
Van walked up to the balcony rail and stared up at the sky. Fiona watched his movements with concern, 'oh Fiona get over it, if you're so paranoid why don't you just ask him already and get it over with!' she mentally screamed at herself.
"You see that?" Van pointed to a constellation of stars in the sky. "It looks like a Blade Liger."
Fiona looked up at the constellation in question and frowned. "No, it looks like a kitten."
Van turned to her. "Jigga what? Na uh! A Blade Liger!"
"Kitten!"
"Blade Liger!"
"No, a kitten!"
"C'mon can't you see it? It so totally a Blade Liger!"
"You're hopeless!" Fiona exclaimed, exasperated. She returned her attention back onto the night sky.
Van grinned while apart of him wondered why Fiona was being so cold to him all of a sudden. He shrugged it off; she probably was just worn out by the day's events. Hell, he had to admit he was, and he was damn lucky he got his Blade Liger back in one piece too.
"That constellation looks like Irvine waving his crutches at you," Fiona indicated to one below the one Van had shown her. She giggled softly.
Van looked up and laughed. "It looks more like a Saber Fang to me. Though.if I squint one eye it does kinda look like Irvine getting pissed at me."
"Is all you see somehow related to zoids? Every single constellation you see is a zoid!"
"Can't help it if that's what I see," he shrugged.
Fiona watched him from the corner of her eye, he closed his eyes and let his head tilt downwards. No matter what he did, Van still looked good; even if he wasn't trying he looked fine. It wasn't fair! Why did she have to stuck with someone who was naturally sexy? It wasn't hard to see why Xena said she liked him, but with Xena she could have been saying that just to say it one never knew.
"I guess."
Van took deep breaths in an attempt to clear his thoughts; Fiona's actions were confusing him. Was she suddenly uninterested in him? Or was she angry with him for some unknown reason? Maybe even both? He mentally cursed, why did girls have to be so confusing? You think they'll do one thing and then they go around and do the complete opposite. Women. Who understood them? Certainly not Van Flyheight, who was just as mystified and intrigued by them as the next guy.
He opened one eye and noticed Fiona's hands were trembling. He quickly turned to her, both of his gray eyes open and alarmed.
"Fiona! What's wrong?" he asked, worried.
Fiona blinked. "Hmm? What is it?" She titled her head curiously.
Van grabbed her hand with such care and held it in front of her. To his surprise his touch only made her hands shake more. He looked her straight in eye but all he could see in those sunset pools was confusion, she didn't understand. Van could feel her shake and it made him increasingly concerned.
"Van? What are you doing?" Fiona asked.
Van groaned and smacked his forehead. "Look! Are you blind? Look at your hand!"
She did so; she saw that they were in fact trembling but nothing that made her concerned. Fiona wondered why Van was SO concerned, it was no big deal. Then it hit her: he cared. He cared about her. He actually truly cared for her, that or he's a hell of an actor. 'What the? No! Van would never lie to me! Besides.he's not that good of an actor' she thought. She was making a mountain out of a molehill. Van really was just flirting with Xena because she flirted with him first, he didn't care for her, and he cared for Fiona. The last thought overwhelmed her with joy.
"I see it, Van. But I find nothing of concern," she replied simply.
"You don't? What's wrong? There has to be something wrong!"
Fiona fought the urge to smirk; she had Van wrapped around her little finger. She bet that if she'd ask for something Van would do it. Might as well test her theory.
"Oh you're right, I feel a bit faint," Fiona placed her free hand over her eyes. "Would you be so kind as to get me a glass of water?"
Van gasped and nodded quickly, he looked around the balcony helplessly. Then he saw a glass of water on Fiona's bed stand. She peeked through a gap of her fingers just in time to see Van quickly kiss her fingertip and rush inside the room to get the glass.
"Fiona just hang on!" he called from inside the room.
Fiona snickered to herself, her plan had worked perfectly. Who'd a thought? Just as she thought, how intriguing. "Oh God, I don't know how much longer I can stay standing." she let the weight of her head fall backwards as she awkwardly leaned against the pearly white rail.
"If you're in a dark tunnel stay away from the light!"
Just as she had predicted, Van raced back to her side, the glass of water in hand. He wrapped his free arm around the curve of her back, positioned his ankle so Fiona couldn't fall without him catching her.
"You okay?"
Fiona peered through the gaps of her hand as she tilted her hand up to see Van looking at her with a worried frown. Which she had to admit it was kind of cute frown, oh God what was the matter with her? Couldn't she just accept the fact Van cared for her and she had him hooked? Why must she play these games? 'Cause their fun.'
"I guesso," she was getting into her 'acting'. Her conscious screaming at her to stop preying upon Van's feelings for her but she was enjoying herself.
"D-do you need to lay down? Or something? Oh! I almost forgot, here I got you some water," Van gulped and wondered how the heck he was going to help her take a sip of water if he was in such an awkward position.
Fiona let her arm fall to her side; she looked Van in the eye and saw concern, fear, confusion, and love. It broke her heart, how could she have done such a thing to him? He genuinely cared about her only she was too blind to see it. Now her conscious was laughing victoriously.
She shook her head and tried to stand up straight but Van was in the way. "No, no I'm fine. I don't know what came over me, it must have been from thinking to hard." 'Thinking too hard?! Where did THAT come from?? I'm making myself sound like a dumb blonde!'
"You sure? You look a lil' pale if you ask me. Maybe you should come inside and sit down," Van suggested.
Fiona sighed in defeat; she might as well do it his way because he'd refuse to budge if it was any other way. Besides it would give her a opportunity to ask Van what he thought of Xena, at least he wouldn't lie to her. Too bad he couldn't say the same about her.
"Okay Dr. Van."
Van grinned and led her into the dimly lit room. He hoped she was all right, because she really didn't look all right. There was something not right about the whole situation, besides the fact it was close to midnight they were all alone in HER bedroom and he could get lucky, she looked ill and she was still shaking. He bet it had something to do with what happened today, after that Xena girl seemed pretty angry when the cops came and swore to get back to them on the battlefield. But then again, from the looks of it that Xena got pissed easily. He sat her on her bed.
"How do you feel now?"
Fiona frowned; okay, at first it was cute that he cared about her but now it was just plain annoying. She didn't have the heart to tell him to stop because he was getting on her nerves.
"I feel fine, Van. I honestly do, now will you just drop it!" she growled.
Van blinked but decided it was best not to ask anything questions. Fiona was not in a good mood and she made no attempt to hide it. Women, he thought, they're so moody! He remembered once his sister, Maria, came home from shopping... she was happy and showed Van all the clothes she bought, he was about eleven at the time. All Van said was "Gee Maria, I didn't know you liked the color pink," and then she started yelling at him "Pink?! Does this look like PINK to you?? It's ROSE!! DUMMY!!! DON'T YOU KNOW ANYTHING??!?!?!" he shuddered at the memory.
"Uh okay, I'll shut up now," he said carefully, unsure of what to do next.
Fiona's conscious got the best of her again. She groaned and said, "I'm sorry Van, and I didn't mean to snap at you. I appreciate your concern and all it's just.you can only do so much before it becomes annoying. you know what I mean? Who am I kidding, you don't do you, just forget I said anything."
"No. You didn't give me a chance to answer, I understand. In a weird messed up way I understand," Van smiled warmly at her. "Fiona, if you ever need anything someone to talk to or anything know I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
He held her small hand in his big hands and kissed her fingertips, the shaking of her hands ceased.
"I know," she whispered as Van laid a trail of kisses on her neck.
Fiona was losing herself in the moment and she was loving every second of it. Van's lips caressed the soft flesh of her neck. He took his sweet time.
"Van?" Fiona stared up at the ceiling, now was as good time as any to ask him about Xena. He's the one who said he'd be there for her if she needed anything; right now she needed to some peace.
"Hmm?" he busied himself by giving her a little love bite on her jaw line.
Van forced himself to stop even though he wanted so badly to continue, he propped his hands under his chin and waited patiently for her to continue.
Fiona hesitated before continuing. "What do you think about Xena?"
"I don't really know anything about her, but if you want the truth I find her a little intriguing. In a bad girl kind of way, you don't know what she's going to do next."
"Uh huh, so you find her attractive?"
Van laughed softly, he had a feeling he knew exactly where this conversation was going. "Fiona what is this? An interrogation?" he laughed again at the serious look on Fiona's face, then his mood turned somber. "I mean sure, she has that element of danger about her but no, I don't find her attractive. I find you attractive."
"What element of danger? What's so dangerous about her?"
"What I mean is, Xena is like a bad girl. Okay, a bad girl. Bad girls appeal to a lot of guys because they like to get down and naughty, but she doesn't appeal to me! That's because she's not my type!"
She ignored the last part. "Why do you think she's with Raven? They bicker like an old married couple."
Van groaned and rolled onto his back. She wasn't giving up the subject and at this rate it would be morning by the time she'd be happy and then they'd have to go to work so no love action for him tonight. No passionate kiss. No nothing. Oh happy day.
"I honestly don't know. I had assumed they were going out by the way they were acting."
"No that doesn't seem right," Fiona said thoughtfully, placing her hand on her chin completely unaware of Van's constant sighs and groans.
"Why not?! It seems perfectly fine to me!"
"It's not right. if I remember correctly back in our lives as Ancient Zoidians; Xena was always dating guys who weren't in our village. She didn't like the guys in the village because she knew them, something like that. Raven never struck me as her type, but if he is I'm glad. Then Raven might actually have a reason to live for other than to defeat you, Van."
Van nodded. "For Raven's sake I hope they are together."
Fiona turned on her side so she faced Van, who was staring at the ceiling, she touched his cheek. She felt suddenly silly for asking all those questions about Xena, 'You silly girl it's about time you got some common sense!'
"Hmm?" Van titled his head; he assumed she still wanted to talk. "Yeah?"
At the spur of the moment Fiona pressed her lips against his. Van moved in such a way that she was underneath him without breaking the kiss. Only adding fuel to flame.
Meanwhile.
"I wonder what's so funny," Moonbay muttered as she stretched out on the couch in the 'living' quarters.
Irvine shrugged. "Kids. They laugh over the dumbest things..who knows?"
They were watching a late night Friends marathon even thought it was five in the morning at they were supposed to be up by seven, oh well. Two hours of sleep never killed anyone; hopefully it'll be a slow day so they could sneak in some naps during lunch.
Moonbay agreed, Fiona had been a bad mood all day after that battle with this other Ancient Zoidian Xena. She heard a rumor that Van liked Xena and the feeling was mutual, that was supposedly why she stole the Blade Liger to arrange a meeting with her secret lover. But Moonbay didn't buy that for a second. No, from what Irvine told her about Xena was that she was young and ruthless, a female version of Van when he was 17. Odd how Irvine had a fractured leg and here he was snuggling up to her watching Friends, laughing every so often.
"Yeah, I guess. But, aren't you a little bit worried about the situation?" she asked.
Irvine met her eyes and returned his attention to the TV screen were Joey was telling Phoebe that he was going to purpose to Rachael. The irony was Ross was going to purpose to Rachael as well!
"A little," Irvine admitted. "But I don't care if she and Raven are an item, all I care about is getting Van, Raven and her for ruining my poor Lightening Saix!"
Moonbay let out an exasperated sigh and threw her hands in the air. "Is that all you care about? Your stupid zoid? It's not ruined dumbass! Dr. D is working on it even as we speak it'll be fine in no time!"
"I know. It's just that when I say I'll get revenge on someone, I will."
"I don't think Van and Fiona care about the situation," Moonbay retorted in a small voice.
This was upsetting her, she needed someone to talk to, share her worries with. But there was no one. For the first time in her life she felt totally and utterly alone. It was obvious that Irvine didn't want to talk, but she couldn't let it down. She only wished he'd get that stick out of his ass and be there for her already, she needed someone to talk to dammit!
"Of course they don't, they're young. They think that just because Raven has a girl he'd stop destroying things but I think his girl likes annihilating things more than he does."
"And yet again youth is on their side. But don't you find it the least bit odd that all this is happening after Van changed?"
"What I find odd is that you woke me up from my nice warm comfy bed to watch TV with you and you're not letting me watch! But you're right," he said finally, feeling a little sorry for yelling at Moonbay. "I doubt this is all coincidence though, all these events happening exactly one after another, I think this could be apart of someone's plan. And everyone is just a pawn, including Raven and Reese whether they like it or not."
"Uh huh, see? I told ya it made sense! The only thing is Van is acting so strangely."
Irvine shrugged and chuckled at the irony on the screen. "I don't know Moonbay, if you want I'll talk to him later, okay? Because I know you'll never let it down until I do, you worry about him like a mother would!"
Moonbay blushed and socked him in the shoulder. "I do not! That is bullshit, Irvine! I can't help it if Van makes me age ten years in just one battle!"
"Ah ha! I told you, you DO mother him. He's not a kid anymore. And did you know he used to have a crush on you?" Irvine started laughing softly and he received a pretty pink and black bruise on the side of his arm, thanks to an angry transporter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fiona smiled as she watched Van sleep peacefully beside her; he had fallen asleep before anything else had transpired. And she was almost positive he was going to start drooling on her nice not to mention new shirt. Her body was exhausted while her mind was still wide-awake and mulling over the dumbest things, like how do they make those lotions smell so good? When is the next time she's going to the mall? And the thing was, Fiona never really liked or got the chance to go the mall.
She took a deep breath to clear her thoughts so she could join Van in dreamland, although she doubted she'd be there at any rate. Her mind was determined to stay awake and it was beginning to drive her mad! On top of that, her leg was going numb and she had no way of moving. Van was cuddling up to her, preventing her from moving from his iron grasp.
Agh; that damned leg was still numb.
"Van, please wake up. My leg.!" she pleaded desperately.
He frowned and snuggled closer to her, that leg of hers was now painless but she knew that meant it would take some time in order for her to move it before it started turning black and blue. Fiona wished he could read her mind then he'd know that she wanted him to move! Ah!
"Van! PLEASE move! My leg.my poor innocent little leg.what did it ever do to you?"
Fiona gasped as disturbing images passed before her eyes: she saw Raven, his purple eyes wide with. no, this can't be right..horror. His face was wet, his hair clung to his face. But it was his eyes that made Fiona uneasy, they were so full emotion which was quite unusual for him, they had this innocent childlike fear in them like he was seeing something that brought back painful memories from his past.
Next she saw Xena: two men held her arms behind her back. She fought viciously, men pushed her next to Raven. She rose to her knees and grabbed Raven by the shoulders and shook him.
"Raven! What is it?! Why are you afraid?"
Raven turned to her, his small pupils sending chills up and down Fiona's spine; why was she witnessing this?
"This c-can't b-e.happening!" his voice went high.
Xena frowned and shook him again, she opened her mouth to say something but then she fell over on her side. The ends of her silver hair turned a sickening red. Raven was probably just as shocked as Fiona was, something or someone must have called him because he tore his eyes away and to the front of him. He shook his head wildly and said something Fiona couldn't hear.
Fiona came back to the real world with a jolt, to her ultimate joy Van had changed positions and he was currently laying on his stomach and pillow over his head.
"Yes!" she said in a high whisper. "Thank you! Thank you!"
She leapt out of bed, careful not to wake Van, and tumbled around her closet for some clothes to wear. Damn, all of her dresses were being washed so that left only her old clothes from when she was 17. It was too early to ask Moonbay for clothes to borrow. She was on a mission, she had to find Raven and warn him. The only question was: were would she find Raven?
Fiona raced out of her room and down the dark halls it was 3:30 in the morning according to a clock on a wall. Not many people would be up at this time so she would have to get a zoid to find Raven. Meanwhile, Fiona was started to think it wasn't the smartest idea to save those clothes because they were hiking up.
BAM! In her hurry, Fiona didn't pay any attention to where she was going and she knocked into someone.
"Oh my God I'm so sorry.." She looked up at the face of a solider with black hair and dark eyes, there wasn't enough light for her to see the color of them.
"I wasn't watching where I was going."
She recognized him as Evan Mathers, the solider that came from the Zerconia base in the west, although she remembered him as flamboyant blonde. Oh well. He stood up and wiped the dust off of his clothes, and met her eyes and Fiona saw they were a dark hazel color. He glanced around and said, "Next time watch where you're going."
Fiona blinked and nodded meekly. "Um, okay sure."
She got up and walked right past him and raced down a flight of stairs to the hangar. Evan Mathers watched her disappear around the bend; she was getting a little too curious he decided. He was going to have to make sure she didn't much closer.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fiona gazed around the dark and musty hangar with rows of zoids lined up on each wall, so many choices so little time. Which zoid was it gonna be? There was far too many of them to do eeny meany miney moo. It was too risky to take the Blade Liger because what if something happened and it was needed? She couldn't take that chance. So that left a Zaber Fang, one that hadn't seen the light of day in years, and a black zoid she had never seen before but was completely intrigued with. There was something about it she couldn't put her finger on, it was almost as if the zoid was watching her.
Eeny meany miney moo never lies, and apparently it said the Zaber Fang. Alright. She hoped into the cockpit and the zoid slowly came to life. Suddenly, the black zoid that Fiona had been interested in earlier roared to life and ran straight through the closed steel doors. Acting solely on impulse, Fiona followed. Her skills as a zoid pilot wasn't all that great but she was determined and it seemed almost as if the Zaber Fang understood and took off at full speed.
Five minutes later, the mysterious black zoid stopped at a small wooden cabin. Fiona maneuvered her zoid into the nearby woods so as it wouldn't be seen, the last thing she needed right now was confrontation. It threw it's mighty head back and roared.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I STOLE A ZOID BEFORE YOU DID!!!! STICK THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT, RAVEN!!!" the zoid crackled, before turning and running off into the desert.
Fiona sweat dropped; there was no denying who the pilot was. Xena. Only Xena would be cocky enough to steal a zoid and use her victory if you want to call it and stuff it into maybe the most dangerous not to mention wanted man in the world.
She leapt out of the cockpit and idly tapped the zoid's leg. "You stay here, I won't be too long. I just need to talk to someone."
The Zaber Fang nodded slowly and Fiona could have sworn it winked at her. She crept her way to the back door of the cabin where a sliding screen door was; she pulled it and entered inside. It was quiet, almost too quiet. Creepy. As she crawled on the crusty wooden floor, Fiona wished she hadn't worn this outfit more and more. She heard a faint snicker.
A raven colored blob popped up on the top of a gray couch before sliding down and disappearing from sight. Fiona straightened slowly, there was no telling what Raven could do it was like being locked in a cage with a fierce wild animal, you have no idea what to expect. Only this wild animal could kill in the blink of an eye.
She soon realized that he wasn't paying any attention to her and discovered why; he was deeply engrossed with a thick hard back book. Phew. She silently walked in front of him. Raven was sprawled out on the small couch, on his side, his legs hanging over the edge. Fiona tapped his left hand that was holding the book. With his free hand, Raven swatted the air in front of her not even bothering to look up.
"Go away," he muttered.
"Raven?"
His purple eyes met hers and then shot back down in the pages. Raven blinked several times and looked up at her again, disbelief written all over his features.
"Raven?" Fiona repeated, meekly like a child.
"What-? Are you doing here?"
"I have something to tell you, I think you should hear," Fiona said meeting his eyes.
Raven scowled but nodded. "Alright, you got ten seconds to tell me before I kill you." Fiona took in a deep breath to calm her racing heart. "Well, you see."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~
A/N: OMG. My computer didn't save the ending of this chapter! So I had to rewrite it, that's why it took so long. God how many times am I gonna say that? Lol. Anyhoo, the chapter makes more sense now if you ask me. Read and Review like the good people I know you all are.
PEACE OUT!
~*Mi ChElLe*~
