Brennan kept his hands in plain view. "It doens't have to be like this, Ally." He pleaded. "I don't want to zap you, but I will if you don't back off, right now!"
Ally looked on at him indignantly. "Oh. My. God. Are you always this girlie?" She held up the fork and Brennan flinched. "It's just food!" Ally was always interested in trying new things. Of course, when you're out on your own in the streets, you can't really afford to be picky.
Brennan shook his head vigerously. "No, Thai is food. THAT is a strange and repulsive MESS that you got off a cart." He backed away from Ally's advances. "Who knows how long it was just sitting there."
Ally looked down at the fork for a moment. "It tastes fine to me."
"Do you actually know what it's supposed to taste like?" He turned his nose up. "Eck, or smell like? Do you even remember what the vendor called it?"
Ally said nothing.
"Yeah, see? Thanks, but no thanks."
"Coward." She teased. "I'll remember that the next time we end up in a fight."
"Right. Give me the Links anyday."
Despite herself, Ally threw the remainder of the odd dish in the nearest trash can. "I'm full anyway."
Brennan had to roll his eyes. "C'mon. Just to show you there's no hard feelings, we'll get you a new wardrobe."
Ally eyed him skeptically. Him sitting through hours of fitting-room time? "Think you can take it?"
Brennan snorted a laugh. "After that?" He indicated the trash can. "I can stand anything."
Ally playfully shoved him away with a chuckle. Brennan bounced right back and in return, wrapped an arm around her, gently squeezing her shoulder.
Suddenly Brennan had to jerk his hand away. He'd been burned! "Ow!"
Ally gasped. "Sorry!"
Brennan frowned at her as he nursed his slightly blistering palm. "If you didn't want me touching you--"
"NO!--I mean, that's not it. You just surprised me...I...it was an accident..." Ally averted her gaze.
Brennan looked on in disbelief. "What...are you blushing?!"
Ally looked back at him wide-eyed. "Well no!"
Brennan started to grin. "You are! You are too, you're blushing!" It quickly dawned on him what that ment, and as Ally realized what he'd realized she got defensive and only blushed deeper. "You surprised me." She repeated.
"Ally, I'm sorry. If you're uncomfortable--"
"I'm not." Ally interupted firmly. "Let's shop." She reached for his hand--and got a shock of her own. "Hey!" She gaped at him furiously.
"Geez! Ally, that wasn't to get even, I SWEAR!" He blurted. "You've made me nervous now!" He sounded honest.
They watched each other for a long moment, then Ally started to giggle uncontrollably. That turned into all out laughing and Brennan soon joined in.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
The routine camera security watch was in action within the mall, like any other day. But suddenly today, something caught the camera's eye and all else was forgotten:
Brennan and Ally.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Adam was left on his own to ponder recent events. He was curious about what the different news groups were saying about the explosion Ally unintentionally caused.
"Proxy Blue."
At his command the computer responded and she appeared on the view screen.
"What's new Proxy?" He asked.
†Here's an interesting bulliten: Police have recieved an FBI profile on an arsonist they beleive to be involved in yesterday's explosion and several fires in the past few days. Nothing's been officially released to the press, but thanks to an anonymous tip, I've come to believe that this madman is actually a madwoman. Not only that, but this lady firebug has stuck before, years ago in Los Angeles. If you ask me, some guy broke this girl's heart good--†
"Mute." Adam commanded, hearing enough.
Frustration was visible on his face as he stood there silently.
After a long while, he activated his comm link. "Brennan."
Yeah Adam?
"Is Ally with you?"
Yeah, she's right here.
"I need you to get her back to Sanctuary, right now."
Adam, what's going on?
"The police are going to be looking for her shortly."
What?! Came Ally's voice from the background.
How'd they finger her for the explosion? Brennan asked.
"We'll figure it out later. Right now you've got to get home before the authorities see you."
Right. On our way, Adam. Brennan out.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Brennan and Ally had their sweater-hoods pulled up over their heads as they tried to remain calm.
"Where's the nearest exit?" Ally asked.
Brennan frowned. "You're asking me?"
"You're the one who brought me here."
"YOU'RE the mallrat between the two of us, not me. I thought it would be instinctual or something."
Ally rolled her eyes. "I've never been to THIS mall before!"
Forgetting himself for a moment, he teased, "How do you know? You have amnesia!"
"BRENNAN!"
"Alright alright." He took her by the hand. "Let's just retrace our steps. We should be able to find the car."
They only made it about ten yards when a pair of security guards appeared in front of them.
"Excuse me Miss, Sir, we'll have to ask you to come with us." The first one said.
Ally noticed them reaching for their guns. Brennan noticed the four other guards coming towards them from all sides.
"What's this about?" Brennan asked them casually.
"We haven't done anything." Ally insisted.
"I'm afraid this is a matter you'll have to take up with the police." The second one chimed in.
"The police?" Ally questioned. "Look--" She took a step forward and the first two guards drew their weapons.
"Hold it!" The first shouted.
"Whoa whoa, hey," Hands raised slightly, Brennan slid between Ally and the first two guards. "There's been a mistake. We just came here for some early-bird shopping."
The other four guards took their positions, completely surrounding the two mutants.
The second guard spoke again. "Get down on the ground and put your hands on your head."
"Can security guards even say that?" Ally whispered to Brennan, still behind him.
Brennan continued. "Listen to me, alright? You've made a mistake."
"Face down, on the ground, NOW!"
Brennan backed off and he and Ally exchanged looks. With the slightest twitch of Brennan's eyes, Ally knew what he wanted to do.
Using the full force of their mutant ability, they launched themselves into the air and over the heads of the stunned circle of guards. They hit the ground running but didn't have much of a lead.
The number of innocent bystanders prevented the guards from firing off more then a couple "warning shots", but they gave chase and the pair kept running.
Brennan's darting gaze noticed a public service sign nearby, a reminder hit, followed by a brief second of feeling stupid for forgetting in the first place, and he came up with a plan. It was kinda crazy, but it was all he had.
"This way!"
"But the car is out this way!" Ally protested.
"Forget the car!" Brennan grabbed her hand and held tight.
Once outside, they first heard the sirens then, from the corner of their eyes saw the squad cars come screeching around the corner. They heard the guards emerge as they started shouting to the police. Brennan kept moving, with Ally in tow.
Across the street was a subway access.
"The Subway?" Ally questioned between huffs of air.
"Trust me." Was Brennan's reply.
They barrelled down the cement stairs, lept over the railings and sprinted over to the platform. Ally could hear a train approaching from the tunnel's echo.
Brennan just stopped at the platform's edge. Ally glanced fiercly down at the track and over at Brennan. He was looking over his shoulder to where the police would undoubtedly appear any second.
"What are you doing?!" She screamed. "They're right behind us! Brennan!!"
He didn't answer her. He spoke to himself, or rather muttered to himself. "Wait for it..." He glanced between the stairs and the tunnel, which echoes were increasing in volume.
"Have you completely lost it?!" Ally shrieked.
He turned on her. "Ally please, just TRUST ME!"
The police appeared on the stairs. "You there! STOP!"
Brennan looked at her more calmly now. "Ally, we're gonna jump."
Ally could only gape at him, completely numb. Everything suddenly became slow-motion to her.
Brennan wrapped an arm around her waist as both the officers behind and the train in front of them drew near. It was obvious this wasn't the train's next stop.
The officers seemed to realize what was planned and the voices became more pleading. "Come away from the ledge!!!"
Brennan jumped down onto the tracks with Ally, and the train came upon them swiftly. Ally gasped and shut her eyes tightly.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
When the train had cleared the station, there was no sign of either Brennan or Ally.
Ally looked on at him indignantly. "Oh. My. God. Are you always this girlie?" She held up the fork and Brennan flinched. "It's just food!" Ally was always interested in trying new things. Of course, when you're out on your own in the streets, you can't really afford to be picky.
Brennan shook his head vigerously. "No, Thai is food. THAT is a strange and repulsive MESS that you got off a cart." He backed away from Ally's advances. "Who knows how long it was just sitting there."
Ally looked down at the fork for a moment. "It tastes fine to me."
"Do you actually know what it's supposed to taste like?" He turned his nose up. "Eck, or smell like? Do you even remember what the vendor called it?"
Ally said nothing.
"Yeah, see? Thanks, but no thanks."
"Coward." She teased. "I'll remember that the next time we end up in a fight."
"Right. Give me the Links anyday."
Despite herself, Ally threw the remainder of the odd dish in the nearest trash can. "I'm full anyway."
Brennan had to roll his eyes. "C'mon. Just to show you there's no hard feelings, we'll get you a new wardrobe."
Ally eyed him skeptically. Him sitting through hours of fitting-room time? "Think you can take it?"
Brennan snorted a laugh. "After that?" He indicated the trash can. "I can stand anything."
Ally playfully shoved him away with a chuckle. Brennan bounced right back and in return, wrapped an arm around her, gently squeezing her shoulder.
Suddenly Brennan had to jerk his hand away. He'd been burned! "Ow!"
Ally gasped. "Sorry!"
Brennan frowned at her as he nursed his slightly blistering palm. "If you didn't want me touching you--"
"NO!--I mean, that's not it. You just surprised me...I...it was an accident..." Ally averted her gaze.
Brennan looked on in disbelief. "What...are you blushing?!"
Ally looked back at him wide-eyed. "Well no!"
Brennan started to grin. "You are! You are too, you're blushing!" It quickly dawned on him what that ment, and as Ally realized what he'd realized she got defensive and only blushed deeper. "You surprised me." She repeated.
"Ally, I'm sorry. If you're uncomfortable--"
"I'm not." Ally interupted firmly. "Let's shop." She reached for his hand--and got a shock of her own. "Hey!" She gaped at him furiously.
"Geez! Ally, that wasn't to get even, I SWEAR!" He blurted. "You've made me nervous now!" He sounded honest.
They watched each other for a long moment, then Ally started to giggle uncontrollably. That turned into all out laughing and Brennan soon joined in.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
The routine camera security watch was in action within the mall, like any other day. But suddenly today, something caught the camera's eye and all else was forgotten:
Brennan and Ally.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Adam was left on his own to ponder recent events. He was curious about what the different news groups were saying about the explosion Ally unintentionally caused.
"Proxy Blue."
At his command the computer responded and she appeared on the view screen.
"What's new Proxy?" He asked.
†Here's an interesting bulliten: Police have recieved an FBI profile on an arsonist they beleive to be involved in yesterday's explosion and several fires in the past few days. Nothing's been officially released to the press, but thanks to an anonymous tip, I've come to believe that this madman is actually a madwoman. Not only that, but this lady firebug has stuck before, years ago in Los Angeles. If you ask me, some guy broke this girl's heart good--†
"Mute." Adam commanded, hearing enough.
Frustration was visible on his face as he stood there silently.
After a long while, he activated his comm link. "Brennan."
Yeah Adam?
"Is Ally with you?"
Yeah, she's right here.
"I need you to get her back to Sanctuary, right now."
Adam, what's going on?
"The police are going to be looking for her shortly."
What?! Came Ally's voice from the background.
How'd they finger her for the explosion? Brennan asked.
"We'll figure it out later. Right now you've got to get home before the authorities see you."
Right. On our way, Adam. Brennan out.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Brennan and Ally had their sweater-hoods pulled up over their heads as they tried to remain calm.
"Where's the nearest exit?" Ally asked.
Brennan frowned. "You're asking me?"
"You're the one who brought me here."
"YOU'RE the mallrat between the two of us, not me. I thought it would be instinctual or something."
Ally rolled her eyes. "I've never been to THIS mall before!"
Forgetting himself for a moment, he teased, "How do you know? You have amnesia!"
"BRENNAN!"
"Alright alright." He took her by the hand. "Let's just retrace our steps. We should be able to find the car."
They only made it about ten yards when a pair of security guards appeared in front of them.
"Excuse me Miss, Sir, we'll have to ask you to come with us." The first one said.
Ally noticed them reaching for their guns. Brennan noticed the four other guards coming towards them from all sides.
"What's this about?" Brennan asked them casually.
"We haven't done anything." Ally insisted.
"I'm afraid this is a matter you'll have to take up with the police." The second one chimed in.
"The police?" Ally questioned. "Look--" She took a step forward and the first two guards drew their weapons.
"Hold it!" The first shouted.
"Whoa whoa, hey," Hands raised slightly, Brennan slid between Ally and the first two guards. "There's been a mistake. We just came here for some early-bird shopping."
The other four guards took their positions, completely surrounding the two mutants.
The second guard spoke again. "Get down on the ground and put your hands on your head."
"Can security guards even say that?" Ally whispered to Brennan, still behind him.
Brennan continued. "Listen to me, alright? You've made a mistake."
"Face down, on the ground, NOW!"
Brennan backed off and he and Ally exchanged looks. With the slightest twitch of Brennan's eyes, Ally knew what he wanted to do.
Using the full force of their mutant ability, they launched themselves into the air and over the heads of the stunned circle of guards. They hit the ground running but didn't have much of a lead.
The number of innocent bystanders prevented the guards from firing off more then a couple "warning shots", but they gave chase and the pair kept running.
Brennan's darting gaze noticed a public service sign nearby, a reminder hit, followed by a brief second of feeling stupid for forgetting in the first place, and he came up with a plan. It was kinda crazy, but it was all he had.
"This way!"
"But the car is out this way!" Ally protested.
"Forget the car!" Brennan grabbed her hand and held tight.
Once outside, they first heard the sirens then, from the corner of their eyes saw the squad cars come screeching around the corner. They heard the guards emerge as they started shouting to the police. Brennan kept moving, with Ally in tow.
Across the street was a subway access.
"The Subway?" Ally questioned between huffs of air.
"Trust me." Was Brennan's reply.
They barrelled down the cement stairs, lept over the railings and sprinted over to the platform. Ally could hear a train approaching from the tunnel's echo.
Brennan just stopped at the platform's edge. Ally glanced fiercly down at the track and over at Brennan. He was looking over his shoulder to where the police would undoubtedly appear any second.
"What are you doing?!" She screamed. "They're right behind us! Brennan!!"
He didn't answer her. He spoke to himself, or rather muttered to himself. "Wait for it..." He glanced between the stairs and the tunnel, which echoes were increasing in volume.
"Have you completely lost it?!" Ally shrieked.
He turned on her. "Ally please, just TRUST ME!"
The police appeared on the stairs. "You there! STOP!"
Brennan looked at her more calmly now. "Ally, we're gonna jump."
Ally could only gape at him, completely numb. Everything suddenly became slow-motion to her.
Brennan wrapped an arm around her waist as both the officers behind and the train in front of them drew near. It was obvious this wasn't the train's next stop.
The officers seemed to realize what was planned and the voices became more pleading. "Come away from the ledge!!!"
Brennan jumped down onto the tracks with Ally, and the train came upon them swiftly. Ally gasped and shut her eyes tightly.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
When the train had cleared the station, there was no sign of either Brennan or Ally.