Hello Hello! I know, I know - this chapter took longer to come out. Sorry bout that. But my brother has been a jackass and he has taken over the computer with games. Ugh. Anyway, I'm sure a lot of you want to see the action starting, but I thought it would be nice to give you a look into Eve's everyday sort of life, so enjoy. Don't worry - I'll get there.
Chapter 4
Logan's POV
I woke to the smell of pancakes and syrup. I just laid there in bed, smiling at the sweet thick aroma of morning in my home. I soon felt my stomach growl in protest to just smelling, and not eating. I let myself grin at that as I shuffled into my wheelchair at the side of my bed. Once situated, I pushed forward and into the kitchen. I just had to smile at the sight.
Eve was licking her sticky fingers from her pancakes as she half danced to the loud music playing on the stereo. She flipped a pancake in the air and I shook my head at her playful antics. I observed her for a few minutes more. I didn't recognize the band or song, but it was very loud. Either it's too loud, or Eve is really off her game today, because I've been sitting here behind her for about two minutes and she hasn't sensed me yet. Oh well, maybe she's not fully awake, which is hard to believe by the way she's jumping around and singing along. Suddenly her back stiffens and she whirls around towards me. Eve immediately gives me a big grin, realizing what I just caught her doing. Before I can make a wisecrack, she sticks out her tongue at me and hands me a plateful of pancakes.
Once I am at the table and ready to eat, she sits down across from me with her umpteenth helping no doubt. I swear, if she didn't have such a high metabolism, she would be three hundred pounds by now.
"So Eve, I was sitting right behind you for quite a while. You feeling ok? Usually you know exactly where I am at all times." I say watching her carefully. I realize that she is usually aggravated by my nagging, but I worry about her health. Personally I think I have every right too. She is a human/chimera hybrid, after all. We may have already gained a lot of knowledge on her make up so far, but we can't begin to guess what Manticore could have been hiding in Max's genes.
"Actually Dad, now that you mention it, I have a headache, chest pains, fever, and an uncontrollable urge to go jump some ones bones." I gasp and stare at her. She has a straight face and is watching me. I feel my mouth immediately drop open at those words.
"Eve......" The sixteen year old dissolves into laughter and sits back in her seat at my facial expression. I gulp down my previous panic and scowl at her disapprovingly. While she does know her mom had seizures, she has no idea about the heats Max endured. Sebastian told me it was too early to determine whether or not she would inherit heat, and that we would know when she actually did go into heat, or if she hasn't by the time she's eighteen, chances are she won't have that charming side effect.
"Gotcha." She giggles, and then returns to snarfing down her breakfast.
"Eve, don't do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack." I scold, trying to look her in the eye. She does stuff like that all too often.
"Oh, but Dad, your expression was great. A true Kodak moment. Clowns should paint their faces like that." She smiles heartedly at the memory and I turn my attentions to the delicious pancakes in front of me. I couldn't be happier at the fact that Eve got my kitchen skills. I don't know if I would be able to survive a teen attempting to cook, but instead burning down my apartment all the time. I also know Max would be relieved. I shake my heads before I have the chance to recall memories of Max. I had plenty of sad time last night; there is no need for it now. Plus, I have Eyes Only work.
I wheel away from the table and place my dishes in the sink, then work myself over to my computer room. I was looking forward to loosing myself in the countless Eyes Only files when my daughter interrupted my thoughts.
"Dad, I told Rachel I would meet her at the market at ten today. Is that okay with you?" I turned to see her washing the dishes and turning the CD player down to hear my response. I sigh at the thought of her at the market with no grown-ups. It's not her safety I'm really scared of - don't get me wrong, I'm probably over protective - but I am pretty sure she can more than handle any situation with thugs or boys on the streets. I am really nervous about her being able to hide abilities and her judgment. After all, she's of the teenage race.
"Um, yeah, I suppose so. Just be careful, and don't get into trouble." I continue wheeling myself to the computer, intent on starting work.
"Thanks Dad!" She exclaims, then trots off to her bedroom. I watch her as she exits. She's clad in a beater and boxer shorts. Obviously her preference in pajamas reflected her tomboy attitude. Thank who's ever up there for giving me a tomboy daughter to raise as a single parent. I doubt I would ever be able to come close to understanding her if she was into frilly pink canopy beds and skirts.
After a shower and a few minutes of silence in her room, she emerges ready to get going to the market to meet her best friend. I do a double take at the sight of her.
"Hold it right there, Missy." I see her shoulders rise, then fall in defeat, as she turns to face me. I stare at her choice in garments, unbelieving that my little girl would dress that way. Her tight hip-hugger khakis I am used too, but I couldn't take the royal blue, bare-backed spaghetti strap tank. Although she had a black jacket in her hands to cover herself up, I immediately conclude that she will eventually be going inside, and might get hot. Inside a place with boys. As soon as she sees my face, Eve sighs and goes back into her room to change. I am quite taken back by this. Usually I get lots of lip from her when it comes to clothes. I turn back to my computer and begin bringing up files.
After a few seconds she steps out of her room in a camouflage tee shirt. She strides over to me and turn a few times sarcastically for my approval. I grin defiantly and nod. The shirt is a bit tight, but I'll deal. She starts walking out the door, intentionally swinging her hips to taunt me. Right before going out the door she snatches her stylish/sporty sunglasses off the side table and then blows me a kiss.
"Bye Eve honey." I let myself get a big smile on my face. She could be Max's clone. The same face shape, same eyes, and nearly the same hair. She's a bit taller than I remember Max being, but only by about an inch.
I return to the files and began typing quickly. This case needs to be closed soon.
The afternoon comes quickly. I was too absorbed in my work to eat. At about two or so Eve comes strolling in. I don't look up as I greet her. She says hello and walks over to examine the files I've been busting my brain on. There was a connection I just wasn't seeing. She leaned over my shoulder examining the open window.
"Wait a minute.." She says slowly. I look at her curiously as she takes control of the mouse and scrolls through the files. "You still got that file on the Jones drug bust?" I nod in confusion. She pulls up the Jones case, then scrolls through it, speedily reading the information.
"Wha.." I stumble as she points at a name in the Jones file, then points to the same name in the current case. My mouth forms a silent 'O' in the epiphany she just caused in me. Wow, my sixteen-year-old girl just solved two cases at the same time in a matter of seconds. Not to mention these cases have had me stuck for months.
She understands my shock and chuckles lightly. She pats my shoulder as she turns to half sit on the desk.
"Ya know, sometimes I think you should let me take over Eyes Only for a day and make some time for a vacation in your schedule. Such a high responsibility should not be resting on the shoulders of wee mere mortal. Save the super acts for the superheroes." She smiles at me, obviously feeling cocky.
"Thanks for putting me in my place once again, Eve." She nods, still displaying a big grin. Suddenly her head snaps up. Her eyes go blank and expressionless. I've seen her do this stunt before. She is concentrating on a sound. Her head slightly cocks to the side. I sit stock still, letting her hear it clearly. Eve's eyes widen a bit, and I assume that means that this is serious. She glances at the hall, signaling that's the source of the sound. I reach towards the black cabinet beside my chair and pull out my gun, quietly taking the safety off.
I watch her face expectantly, awaiting her signal to take action. Oddly enough she suddenly grins and stands to watch the hall. Within a matter of seconds, Zack appears at the doorway, with a smile on his lips.
"Uncle Zack!" Eve exclaims as she runs up to him and jumps into his arms. He laughs as he stumbles backward at her force. I think he never stops being surprised at her strength. I let myself get a crooked grin at the two's interactions. He lets her down as she is talking excitedly to him.
"So what's it this time, Zack? Speed, escape and evade, intellect training?" She lists the many drills Zack takes her through during his visits. He comes about every year or so to make sure she is in shape if the time came to run, or just for basic self-defense. Eve is really about the only thing Zack and I can see eye to eye on. Both of us are very protective towards her. Yet I always wonder if she gets more attention than Case or Jace's son Max does. It makes perfect sense to me, I expect Eve to be his favorite, mainly because she is Max's daughter. But Zack has always insisted that she needs more attention due to the fact that she is the only human/chimera hybrid so far that has shown both high intellect and the enhanced physical abilities.
"Actually Eve, I thought we should do some basic sparring first, then we can commit a robbery." He says, watching for my reaction. I look at him, waiting for him to explain. Even she is looking at him confused. He smiles down at her, then turns to me with a stern look on his face.
"I wanted her to practice her infiltration skills, and see how much she can take from the house before you notice - don't worry, it's just a game. Only your apartment will be involved. Eve makes a small noise of excitement. I start to turn back to work when I see Zack wink at her out of the corner of my eye. Gees, he virtually transforms around her. He never ceases to amaze me.
I hear them talking behind me about the drills, and I pretend not to be listening. I can't help myself, I want to know what they will be doing and how dangerous. Zack tells Eve it's time to start sparring.
"Now wait a minute. You two are not going to spar inside the apartment. You'll knock over walls and God knows how many things you'll break." I protest. Zack rolls his eyes at me. Eve thinks for a minute, then touches his shoulder for attention.
"How about the roof? There is plenty of room up there, and we won't be able to make much noise." I open my mouth to speak, but Zack stops me abruptly.
"Good idea, and relax Logan. Do you actually think I would let my niece fall off the side of an apartment building?" I close my mouth and shake my head. Eve smiles and grabs Zack's hand to lead him upstairs to the roof access door.
After a minute or so I hear grunting and stomping around on the roof. They must have started. I try to concentrate on the task at hand, but it's hard when you have two revved up individuals upstairs kicking each other's asses. At that thought I start to worry. I know Zack loves Eve just as much as me, but I'm nervous she may not block right and get hurt. I roll into my bedroom and fit the exoskeleton on. I walk up to the roof to see the fight. As I open the door I catch sight of Zack with Eve in a headlock. I walk forward to watch, as she grabs his wrist to twist it. He lets go in pain, then she reaches behind her left shoulder with one arm and grabs his neck by wrapping her arm around it, then proceeded to flip him over her shoulder and onto the ground in front of her. He grunts at the impact, while she smiles down at him in victory. The expression on his face is priceless. I start to clap for my daughter. He looks at me in surprise. Obviously he was also surprised at her strength. He probably didn't want me to see him get taken down by a sixteen-year-old girl. She wipes off her hands then helps him up. Zack runs his fingers through his hair, trying to gather words.
"That's three for me, one for you." She states with a hand on her hip. A stance I have long since memorized from Max.
"Where the hell did you learn that? I never taught you that move." Zack asks between breaths. Eve shrugs and looks over at me then back at him.
"I didn't learn it. I saw an opportunity and took it." She is very proud of that move now. I hope her ego doesn't enlarge too much. I decide I have been an outsider here for a little too long.
"Hon, how did you know you were that strong? I've never seen you through Zack like that before. I mean sure, you have tossed men, but not an X5." I ask, watching Zack to make sure he's all right. He has a bruising leg and a small cut on his arm, but nothing serious.
"I dunno, either Zack here is getting old, or I totally rule." She says with a smirk that is a little too big for my liking. Even Zack rolled his eyes at that comment. He knows he's not getting old. He is in his thirties now, but I found along time ago that chimeras are fully functional until about their fifties, due to a slow aging process once they hit twenty. After they are in their fifties, their super human powers slowly start to deplete, if no diseases or disorders interfere. Zack looks the same pretty much as he did when I first met him.
After a long infiltration session, and they totally robbed my house of all valuables before I heard them, Eve went to her room to change into some clean clothes and wash up in the bathroom. While she was gone, Zack came into the office and leaned on my desk.
"Her skills have improved." He stated, not quite looking me in the eye. I didn't respond so he continued. "Any signs of heat yet?" He asked, staring at the floor.
I stumbled over the words, not wanting to think of my little girl in a sex-craving state. "Uh.. No, not to my knowledge."
He looked me in the eye. "Well, she's sixteen, and so the heat would be coming soon if it is coming. I think I don't have to tell you the symptoms, but let's review anyway. Besides the obvious, she would be squirming a lot, fidgeting, look flushed, have a mild fever, and run around like a chicken with it's head off." He returned his gaze to the floor, then took a deep breath. "There is one more thing. Eve's skills have improved,"
"You already said that, and frankly, I agree whole-heartedly." I cut in.
He sighed in irritation. "She.... She's stronger than me."
I immediately look at him, making sure this isn't some weird practical joke. No way my girl could be stronger than an X5 male, let alone the top of the class. Seeing the surprise in my eyes, he continued.
"Up on the roof, I wasn't holding back. She did actually kick my ass three times in a row. I'm at my peak performance pretty much, so it has to be her. Not only is she stronger, but also faster, more coordinated, better at improvisation, and she's cleverer than I ever was at that age. I have to say, I think if she was at Manticore about now, she would be performing at a higher level... Some thing like X7. Her powers are far beyond that of an X5."
"Oh God." I whisper. Can I even process that properly in my brain right now?
"That really confuses me, also. She is half-human. Her cousins Case and Max don't have that. They are only slightly enhanced." Zack shakes his head, as if it will help him think.
"I think I know why." He looks at me in surprise and furrows his brow in disbelief. I ignore him and continue. " Before Max was pregnant, she got that implant from the Reds, remember?" He nods, waiting for me to continue. "Well, a few years back I had my friend Sebastian research the implant to see if it affected Eve. He said it was possible that since Max's nerves were already permanently damaged from the implant, that during the pregnancy some of the hormones were off balance as she fed them to the baby, it was theoretically possible it would change the baby's hormones during development."
"But that thing only dulled pain, it didn't affect strength really. Plus that metal bitch almost killed Max." He responded, looking my in the eye challengingly.
"I realize that. While Eve does feel pain, I just think she has a very high threshold for it." I counter, awaiting his next doubt.
"What about her high intelligence though? The implant wouldn't do that at all." He says, his confusion and worry showing through.
I bite my lip thinking. "Well, your whole basic standards as X5s are very high, which you would guess would leave no room for improvement. But maybe it's just on a curve in a way, and she is a genius on an X5 scale. That's pretty much all I've got." I watch his facial expression change. He nods, much to my surprise, in agreement.
"Or it could be environmental. We always had to think under pressure as kids, maybe since she didn't have that, she relaxes more, and-" He stops talking suddenly, and I look at him questioningly. He jerks his head at the door of Eve's room, and sure enough she emerged in a few moments.
Zack stood and smiled at her. She smiled back at him. She is always so happy when he is around, it's almost enough to make me jealous. Luckily for her, Zack and I relaxed along time ago. She must love having someone around her that is the same as her. While she has seen pictures and wrote letters to Case and Max, and her newest cousin, Jessica, who is five, I assume it helps a lot to be able to meet and play around with her uncle like she does. His visits are unannounced, and short, but they spend every waking minute together catching up. Maybe Zack sees his own lost youth in her. She is probably every X5's dream. Being loved, and growing up free.
Well, chapter 4 was a bit longer. I hope you liked it. Zack may have seemed a bit out of character, but after 16 years, who knows? And please don't kill me! Max and the X8 are coming soon - Max might be in the next chapter. I dunno yet. Either that one or the next. PATIENCE! And REVIEW!