Disclaimer: I don't own zoids....*sigh*
By Black Fury
Author's notes: Sorry about the horribly long wait, but I was updating other stories! I don't have much time to type so I'd better get started!
Chapter Three: Forgive me
With Reese's plan dancing through his mind, Van began to revise his parts as he headed back to the Headquarters. The plan did seem to rely on Reese and her mind controlling powers a lot, but perhaps that wouldn't matter – his part seemed easy enough to play.
But one key element was time. He had to have his part completed before Fiona left the forest. With this in mind he quickened his pace.
But was he doing the right thing?
Van slowed up again at the new thought. Was this the right action to take to convince Fiona to love him? Would it make her happy?
Van came to a holt.
No. It wouldn't. He should stop it right now, before anyone gets hurt. She's happy with him. He's the one she wants, not me.
The image of Raven holding Fiona and kissing her appeared suddenly in his mind. No! He's wrong for her! He's a murderer! Van began to run faster than before, his blood boiling with anger.
She should have chosen me! He's poisoned her mind against me! Their love could only end in tatters!
Van ran into the hanger where Irvine and Thomas were tending to there zoids. Puffing and panting Van quickly came to a holt again. Irvine spun around.
"What's wrong Van?" He inquired.
Vans straightened up and took a deep breath – So the act begins.
"Have you seen Fiona?" Van panted.
Both Irvine and Thomas shook there heads. Van pretended to bit his lip. Well, of course you haven't, she's off with Raven, Van thought bitterly.
Seeing Van expression, Thomas added:
"Has Miss Fiona disappeared?" He said, concerned.
"I'm….I'm not sure," Van began trying to think how he should play it out, "It's just…"
"Fiona can look after herself," Irvine stated turning back to his zoid, "You shouldn't worry so much."
Van frowned despite himself.
"I wouldn't normally, but I…" Van took a quick glance at his watch-he was wasting time, "I saw Raven with the Genobreaker in a clearing not far away and since I couldn't find Fiona I was kind of worried that…" He trailed off, letting Thomas and Irvine fill to in the blanks.
Irvine and Thomas exchanged worried looks.
"Miss Fiona could be in danger." Thomas gasped.
"Van take us to the clearing immediately!" Irvine swung himself into the Command Wolf's cockpit, "We'd better take our zoids-just in case."
"What about Zeke?" Van inquired.
"Let him rest, with any luck there won't be a battle." Irvine turned the Command Wolf to leave.
Van smiled as he walked to his zoid. Everything was going perfectly.
******
Reese frowned as she scanned the clearing. No sigh of that darn Van! Had he chickened out on her? Had he changed his mind? No-he couldn't have. Good guys just don't do things like that–do they?
Reese glared up at Raven and Fiona, who where talking now. If Van didn't show up soon with the others her part in the plan would be useless.
Suddenly she heard a rustling not too far away.
Yes! That had to be him!
She quickly stood up, grabbing her gun and moved off to get ready for her part in the act.
******
"Just here…" Van's voice came over the comlink of the Shield Liger. Please can they not be kissing, he thought.
"I don't-" But Irvine cut off as he rounded the corner and found himself face to face with the Genobreaker.
"Miss Fiona!" Thomas gasped, looking up. Raven was holding Fiona by the shoulders and if Van hadn't known better he'd have thought Raven wasattacking Fiona.
"Get your scaly hands off her!" Irvine shouted preparing the Command Wolf's guns.
Van held back. Where was Reese? Had she set him up? He watched Fiona's baffled expression sadly.
Suddenly a streak of blue shot out from the lower bushes and grabbed Fiona. It was Reese, and to Van's great amazement, he smiled.
"Well done, Raven!" Reese began, not bothering to lower voice, "Just as we always planned..." She moved her gun to Fiona's head.
Fiona's eyes darted searchingly to Raven's as if to say: What?
Reese quickly covered Fiona's mouth with her free hand to prevent Fiona from speaking and possibly ruining everything.
"Hear me now!" She shouted back to the zoids, "You come one step closer and your pretty little blonde friend here may get hurt!"
"What are you doing?!" Raven's deadly whisper sent a chill down Reese's spin, even thought she knew he would dare not attack her. Not while she had a gun in her hand, not when he knew she really wouldn't hesitate to use it.
Reese took a deep breath. Continue with the act, she told herself calmly.
"Merely following your orders," Reese smirked, "You can drop your act now."
Fiona tried to struggle again, attempting to say something.
Van watched, guilt entering his heart again, was this, the right thing to do?
"As much as we'd like to chat, we must be on our way." Reese laughed and then grabbing Fiona tighter jumped up into a branch and dashed skillfully from tree to tree, out of sight.
"NO!" Van shouted on his cue, "FIONA!!"
"Van maybe you should follow her, you have the fastest zoid, we'll keep Raven off your tail!" Thomas suggested, as he and Irvine started their zoids forward.
"Right!" Van answered and turned his zoid, careful as to miss the trees.
It had all worked out – just as Reese had said it should. Now, all that was left for him to do was stall, giving Reese enough time to take Fiona to her zoid and drop her off at the agreed spot and he'd be out of it. Yet as he walked off towards the spot he couldn't help feeling guilty.
Black Fury: I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! Chapter four won't be up for a while!