PianZoe: I am SO SORRY about the delay on this chapter, I was busy, talking with my cousin (Destiny, CiaHottie) about my (and her, of course) future fan-fics. Right now, we're planing about... four after this one. Oh, and I've also become obsessed with the game Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht. I know, I know, it's from 2001, but now at least I'm looking forward to Episode II which is coming out... sometime soon. ^_^ But anyway, you're here for the fic not the ramble, so, here you are, a chapter full of SAP, my FAVORITE type of chapter!
Serap-89: And mine... since my initials are S-A-P. So I'm a born SAP!
Virginia stood there, silent, and unmoving. She seemed to have been frozen, like a statue, until suddenly she ripped the note in two. The others blinked at her, as her fists shook with anger and she began breathing heavily. "She... kidnaped... Kenji... I am going... to... to..." she breathed, then the papers dropped from her hands and she looked up, her eyes glistening from tears. She glanced around to Jet, with a worried look, and he looked straight into her eyes with an equally upset look. "She's never going to give up! And that means she might actually kill one of us! Oh, I hate her! She kidnaped our whole team, then she tried to kill our daughter, now she kidnaps one of our sons! When will she stop!?" she cried, falling onto her husband, and burying her face in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, to comfort her.
Georgia watched her father trying to comfort her mother, and her eyes narrowed, as she looked down to the letter. She stood up, her fists clenched, and she stormed out of the house, making the others look at her strangely.
After a few minutes, she came back in, seeming more relaxed. "Tomorrow, if Anthony is able to leave his bed by then, we'll leave and try to find where Janice took Kenji." she stated, looking back out the window, then back in to everybody in the room. "I think I'm going to bed, goodnight everyone." she said, getting responses like, 'Goodnight Georgia,' 'Sleep well, Georgia,' and 'See you tomorrow.' She walked out of the room, waving to everybody, and then she walked down the hall to her and Anthony's room. When she got in there, she saw that Anthony was, once again, asleep, but this time in a more peaceful slumber. She smiled at this fact, then quickly got dressed into her night attire, and climbed into bed.
* + * = **
Georgia had wanted to get a drink during the night, and now she was lost in the house. She wandered around, until she found a room, that was obviously her and Anthony's because it was the only one with a couple windows, and it was lighter in there. She walked in, but soon found that the bed she had first found felt cold to the touch and it was rather unpleasant. She shivered at the thought of trying to sleep in a cold bed, and she looked towards where she saw another bed, obviously Anthony's. She bit her lower lip, and furrowed her eyebrows. 'Should I? I might worsen his injuries, so I mustn't. But... if I sleep in this bed, I might catch cold...' she thought to herself, looking down to her bed, and then back up to Anthony's.
She sat down on her bed, and then covered herself up, shivering at the cold sheets. 'They'll warm up with your body heat... they will... they... will... they will, Georgia, they will...' she tried convincing herself, but soon realized that trying to convince herself was useless. She sighed and turned over, to face the wall. She was once again debating with herself about whether she should or shouldn't sleep next to Anthony. She found that she was a very good debater when against herself, and decided.
* + * = **
Anthony's eyes slowly opened, and as they did, he saw silver hair in his face. His eyes opened wider, and he looked to his side to see Georgia snuggled up against him, sleeping with a smile on her face. With wide eyes he stared down at her, non-blinking. Why was she there? Why not in her own bed? This was awkward, and would be even more if someone came into the room right then. Just as he thought that, a knock came at the door. He jerked, and looked towards the door with the same expression on his face as when he saw Georgia beside him.
When he looked back down nervously, he saw Georgia staring up at him, her eyes showing that she had just woken up. He scowled at her, and whispered harshly, "What are you doing here?! Get in your bed! Someone wants to come in!" her eyes widened, and she yawned as she got up and moved over to her bed and climbed in.
She then called to the door with a yawn, "Come in." in walked Kaitlyn, slightly smiling, like usual. She looked to Georgia, and said a good morning. Georgia smiled back and nodded her head. "Good morning, Kaitlyn. So, what were you wanting?" she asked, getting straight to the point. Kaitlyn nodded her head, and motioned out the door.
"We all have been up for at least an hour, waiting for you and Anthonic - uh, I mean, Anthony, heh, heh, heh - to get up. We were beginning to think that Janice came during the night and killed you both or something, so they sent me to check on you and tell you that we're ready. Well, if Anthony is feeling all right this morning at least." she said, and Georgia nodded her head with a yawn. She sat up in bed, and looked to Anthony, who was lying down facing the wall. Obviously pretending to be asleep. She slightly giggled at that, then looked back to Kaitlyn.
"Ok, tell the others we'll be down in a minute." she said, and Kaitlyn nodded her head then turned and walked out the door. As soon as she closed the door, Anthony shot up, and looked towards Georgia with a death glare. She just chuckled, and looked down to the floor. "I was cold last night." she stated simply, standing up and grabbing her normal garments, then glared at Anthony. "Either leave now or don't look this way until I tell you to, I'm going to get dressed." she barked at him, and he sneered and pulled the covers over his head. She smiled, and said, "Thank you, I'll just be a second." she then quickly got dressed and did her hair. "Ok Anthony, you can get dressed now, I'm leaving."
When she left the room, Anthony pulled the covers off of his head and watched her walk out of the room. He lay there for a minute staring that direction, until he realized what he was doing. He shook his head and sat up. He hadn't noticed that Georgia had walked back in, but when he stood up, he finally noticed her and his legs gave out on him, because the shock of seeing her back in the room. Luckily, she caught him before he hit the floor, then helped him back up to his feet. She looked at him strangely and he just scowled. "You startled me."
She smiled innocently, and scratched the back of her head. "Oops, sorry, I just came back because I forgot to get my stuff." she said with a chuckle, and then looked to her bed to see her stuff there. She quickly trotted over to it, snatched it up, then looked back at Anthony with a smile. "Do you think you feel well enough to go out and search for Janice and Kenji? I forgot to ask." she asked, and Anthony raised an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms.
"Doesn't it LOOK like it?" he asked, and Georgia just nodded her head, turning and heading for the door. As soon as she left, Anthony furrowed his eyebrows. "Why did she say 'search for Janice AND Kenji'?" he asked himself aloud, then shook his head and got ready to leave.
About five minutes after Georgia had gone downstairs, Anthony came down, and was greeted with 'I'm glad to see you're doing well - I guess - Annie,' 'Morning, Anthony, I see you're doing better!' 'Mornin',' and many more. He just ignored them all (of course), and walked straight through that room and out the door. The seven that were in the room just shrugged, then followed him out the door. Well, David stopped in the doorway, and said his goodbyes to the others. Kaitlyn turned around to him, and waved, until Georgia grabbed her friend's arm and turned her around when they reached Lombardia.
* + * = **
Lombardia flew around, with the group of seven inside of her, Georgia, Virginia, and Jet deciding where to go and giving Lombardia instructions. Kaitlyn was talking with Meira, about how she had fallen for David, and Meira was just chuckling at the older blonde female Drifter. Aleksey was sitting across from Meira and Kaitlyn, for some odd reason staring at Meira again. And Anthony was just sitting, acting like his usual self, not talking and acting as if he wasn't paying attention to anything. But, even though he was acting this way, he still every once and a while glanced up at Georgia. Luckily for him she didn't notice.
'Quit that, she'll see you. Plus, why would you want to stare at a dumb old bimbo anyway? Because I'm trying to figure out why she was the one who carried me when I was practically dead.... That's why. Yeah right, just keep telling yourself that.' his mind battled with itself, and he scowled deeply. He wanted to convince himself to stop thinking about the silver haired maiden, but for an odd reason, his mind was telling him that he couldn't stop. He scowled a little deeper, and sneered at his thoughts.
On the other side of the room, Kaitlyn had stopped her long and boring talk long enough to see Anthony's eyes move towards Georgia's direction. When she noticed this, she immediately thought of something, and smirked. Meira noticed the older blonde's smirk, and followed her gaze to also see Anthony staring at Georgia out of the corner of his eye. She chuckled, and looked back to Kaitlyn. "You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?" she asked, and Kaitlyn just shrugged, looking to Meira.
"I dunno, what do you think I'm thinking?" she asked, and Meira just shrugged, looking back over to Anthony, who was now holding his head in his hands.
"I'm thinking that you're thinking that you should play matchmaker."
"Well, you're close, but I'm afraid you didn't get it correct. Guess again."
"Why?"
"Just guess!"
"Ok, ok! Uh... that you should tease Anthony?"
"I knew you'd guess right, that's why I made you guess."
"Aren't you afraid he'll punch you or something?"
Kaitlyn looked to Meira with an eyebrow raised, then laughed, and shook her head. "Oh please, I'm not afraid of him. Well, I used to be, but... uh... wait, you weren't there then... never mind!" she said as she slowly stood up. Meira began to stand also, but Kaitlyn motioned for her to sit back down. "Stay here."
"Hey, why can't I have fun teasing him too?"
Kaitlyn smirked, looking directly towards Anthony. "Because, if I find out that he does like her, then you can help me tease him until he tells her." she then walked slowly in Anthony's direction, and each time one of her feet touched the ground she made sure it made a thump loud enough for Anthony to hear. She walked up to the seat beside Anthony, and sat down, making him look up at her with an angry look.
"What are YOU doing here? If you're just here to be your normal piquing self, then I suggest you leave before I am forced to hit you." he narrowed his eyes at her as her smirk grew more suspicious. "You're up to something, please leave."
"Oh wow, the tough old Anothogony said please." she said sarcastically, then cleared her throat, but after she did so, she began giggling. "Hee, hee, hee, this is too good... oh! Hee, hee, hee, hee..." Anthony glared at her, and when he did she quickly stopped herself and sighed. "Oh, heh, heh, uhh, anyway. I saw you." she started, and Anthony raised an eyebrow.
"I didn't know you were blind." Anthony stated, blandly.
"Huh?" Kaitlyn gave Anthony a confused look, and he sighed.
"I was saying that because you said you saw me, and I was already right here, so it sounded like you had just seen me for the first time, or something."
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant!" Kaitlyn spat at him, clenching her fists. "I MEANT, I saw you, as in, when you were staring at Georgia!" she practically shouted, but luckily, no one but the ones who were listening on purpose heard. Anthony's eyes widened a slight bit, then he looked down, as if to hide the blush that was appearing on his face.
"I... I was never staring at that dumb bimbo. And... and why would I?" he asked, and Kaitlyn practically burst out laughing.
"Oh, Annie, do you know how BAD you are at lying? I SAW you with my own two eyes! You were STARING at her! As if you were in a trance, or... something! You like her..." she stated, and her mouth once again curled up into a smirk. Anthony instantly looked up at her with the most shocked, scared, embarrassed, angry look she had ever seen on one person's face. And his blush had deepened about three shades.
"That is the most idiotic thing I ever heard! How could you say anything like that?! I mean, it's... it's..."
"True."
"No it's RIDICULOUS!!" he growled at her, and she just smirked at him. He sat there, glaring at her. She chuckled, shaking her head, and patted his head; so hard his head bounced. "Ow, hey, quit that!"
"Oh, Annie, you're one of the worst liars I know. And I should know, 'cause I know quite a few liars. So, since I know, go ahead and tell me from your own mouth. I would looooove to hear it." she said, as Anthony swatted her hand away from his head.
"Well you're obviously a lunatic to think that." he said, and then turned so he couldn't see her. But little did he know that she would be right beside him forever until he told her. After a few minutes of just sitting there, Anthony had forgotten all about Kaitlyn, who was watching him closely, and found his eyes wandering back over to Georgia. He stared that way for a minute, until he heard a loud HA! come from his right. He cringed, finally remembering about Kaitlyn.
"You can't deny it now, you were staring at her, again! Just admit it, it will be a whole lot easier in the long run." she said, making Anthony look back around at her, one of the deepest scowls that Kaitlyn had ever seen on his face. "Oh come on, don't look at me like that. Hey, I tell you what, I won't tease you. Ok?" she lied, grinning.
"Well you'll have no evidence of why you're teasing me, because, what you're accusing is about as true as a dog playing an accordion."
"As I said before, you're not good at lying. Come on Anthony, just say it! It's not like it will end the world or anything."
Anthony looked as if he would burst any moment. He was growling under his breath, his fists were clenched, and his teeth were grinding. But, suddenly, he did something unexpected. He sighed, and slouched over, letting the rest of himself relax.
"Ok, Kaitonic, fine. I... I... I don't know."
This threw Kaitlyn for a loop. She gave him a confused look, and he just sighed. "Huh? What don't you know?"
"You were asking me to tell you that I... uhh, liked the lead bimbo. Well, I was answering you; truthfully. I don't know. I've never felt this way before, I can tell you that for sure." he told her, and she just half smiled at him.
"I already told you what you're feeling for her. You have a crush on Georgia Enduro." she told him, and he just covered his head with his hands. She shook her head at him, and pulled his hands away from his head. "Come on, I'm not teasing you. See? Just telling you th-"
"I know, I know!! I know what you said, you don't have to say it again... But... how... I mean... I... It doesn't make any sense...!" Anthony stuttered, pulling his hands away from the blonde, and then crossing his arms.
"You're acting like a five year old." Kaitlyn spat at him, and he just look at her with a blank look. "Anthony - wow, I called you by your real name, I must be serious - it's so obvious, even you know it. And, just to let you in on a little secret..." Kaitlyn glanced towards Georgia with narrowed eyes and a smirk, then looked back to Anthony. "If you tell her that you like her, you might get a very pleasant surprise. M'kay? All right, so, I'm going to go back over to Meira, ok, lover-boy?" she teased, and Anthony looked at her with a fire in his eyes. He stood up, and she began running, with him right on her tail. "Ha, ha, ha, Annie, you'll never catch me, I'm a running champion!! I've outrun MANY monsters!! HAHAHA!" Kaitlyn cried, but then, suddenly, she was hit to the ground hard.
Anthony had caught up to her and tackled her to the ground. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Well, I've outrun everything I've come across, even you, Miz. Champion." he then stood up, holding his arms up in triumph, smirking. Kaitlyn just turn around, and swung her leg into his, knocking him flat onto the ground, on his back. He sat up from the ground, and glared at her. She was smiling at him, acting as innocent as possible. "You little..." he said, balling his normal hand into a fist, and shaking it in front of her face.
She just smiled at him, then stood up and dusted herself off. "Well, I'm going to go chat with Meira now. See you in a while, Annie." she said, doing a quickly gesture with her hand that was like a mix between a salute and a wave, and then walked over to join Meira in conversation. In other words, to give Meira a tidal wave of topics.
Anthony just sat on the ground, finally getting a chance to really think about what Kaitlyn had said to him before. If anyone looked real close at his face, they could see a hint of a blush on it. But only a hint. And his eyes were about as big around as a tree trunk. 'How can an adult have a crush? I thought only kids had crushes! But, if adults can, why do I have one on that dumb bimbo? I mean, she's just what I said, a BIMBO. Why would ANYONE, especially me, have a crush on her? Especially in only about a weeks time? That makes absolutely no sense... but... I mean, thinking about it, it does seem logical... why else would I actually act like that? But, I can't like anyone, I'm... me! Insensitive, Anthony Bernadette... but, not EVERYONE is completely emotionless... heh, just look at Janice, she 'loved' her brother... and she seems less capable of loving anyone or anything than me. So, I guess that means... oh crap.' he thought, so lost in thought that he didn't notice Georgia walk up to him, and bend down next to him.
She lightly tapped him on the shoulder, and at the sudden touch, he let out a small yelp and turned to her sharply, making her fall to the side onto her rear end. "I'm sorry for startling you. I was just checking if you were all right. You looked... I don't know... gone." she apologized, giving him an apologetic look. He just seemed to stare at her, still wide eyed, and still with slight pink tinged cheeks. "Anthony? Are you all right?" she asked, slightly worried by the expression on her friend's face, and by the fact that he hadn't answered with an irritated remark.
Anthony finally shook himself out of the shock, and scowled at her. "Yes, I'm FINE, and it's all right, you didn't startle me THAT bad." he tried covering up, but it obviously didn't work, because Georgia just raised an eyebrow at him. So then he stood up, and walked back over to his previous seat, then turned and sat, his arms crossed. He glared at her, and she slowly walked towards where she had been, watching him as well.
Suddenly, as the two had the unofficial staring contest, Kaitlyn cried out, "THERE'S JANICE, and... SHE HAS KENJI!!"