"Open it up", Leo yelled when he saw the security guy coming much to close to them. The boy hadn't read the golden plate, because he was standing too far away from it to read the text properly. But knowing they didn't have much time left and Chris still didn't make a move to get out of the hallway, Leo brushed passed him and opened the door himself.
Running inside he saw the immense work room and for a moment he was stunned. But quickly thinking of the fact he had no time to stare at the expensive looking furniture he grabbed Ellen's and Chris's hands and pulled them inside. He closed the door, turning around the key that was on the inside, before turning around himself and looking at each side of the room, trying to find a way out. But there was no other door than the one they just came through. The only way out seemed the three giant windows at the opposite of the room. Leo ran towards them to see if he could open them, so they could get out.
Ellen and Chris had followed them, realizing what Leo's plan was. But Ellen felt her stomach drop when she saw there was no way they could escape through the windows. Apparently they were on one of the highest levels of the building, jumping from this height would be their deaths.
"Shit", she cursed as she turned away from the window. There had to be another way. She had to think of it, and fast. It would only be a matter of minutes, if not seconds, before the security man would find a way to force the door open and then they were really screwed. There was no way he would believe their story of how they ended up in the bed room. Ellen hardly believed it herself. Looking from the disappointed look on Leo's face to the one of pain on Chris's she knew there was only one other way to escape from the security guy.
"You have to use that orbing power to get us out of here", she said firm to Chris as she crossed her arms. "I know you're hurting and if this will cause your more pain, I am sorry, but it's the only way."
Chris realized that too and nodded. Holding out his arms for Ellen and Leo to grab he orbed out the moment he felt their hands on his body. At the same time the security man broke down the door of Charles's study. He didn't want to do it, but for some reason his key didn't work and he'd explain things to the Prince later on. But when he got into the room he only saw a few bright little lights circling in the air. And when he blinked with his eyes they were gone.
This time Chris got even less far than when he orbed out of the Tower of London. They ended up in another room in the palace, crashing on top of each other on the hard wooden floor of another study. Ellen and Leo quickly stood on their feet again, but Chris didn't. He didn't get up, he didn't move at all. He was only softly moaning and Ellen saw the linen she had wrapped around his wound so carefully before was loose and next to Chris was a pile of blood forming on the floor.
"No, no, no", she said softly, as she crouched down by his side. Tying the linen back together she carefully turned Chris around, so he would lay on his back, instead of his stomach. Excalibur was still hold to his side by his belt and the soft glow of the sword gave Ellen an idea. Looking at the from pain wrenched face of Chris she thought back of what he did with the sword before. He held it in his hands and she saw the pain became less for him. So Ellen bended over Chris and pulled Excalibur loose. Gently she took Chris's hands in hers and tried to open the fingers of his fists. When there was enough space she placed the heft of the sword in Chris's hands and closed his fingers around it with her own.
Laying on the ground with the sword on his body and Ellen hanging over him, still pressing his fingers on the sword, Chris slowly woke up. Opening his eyes, at first they couldn't focus and he wondered who the blurry person above him was. Blinking a few times his sight got better and he recognised Ellen. He gave her a faint smile as he now held a tight grip on Excalibur on his own strength and let the powerful sword do his work. This time when he closed his eyes he made sure not to open them again or to let go of the weapon until he felt he was strong enough. After a few minutes his heart started to beat on a normal rhythm again, the feeling in his convulsive fists returned and the pain in his side almost disappeared. Still concentrating on the feeling that ran through his body he didn't open his eyes until he was absolutely certain he would be fit enough to get Leo and Ellen out of this place and fight his enemy.
When he did feel good enough the tightness with which he held the sword weakened and he jumped on his feet. Ignoring the surprised looks from the two others he gave them a reassuring smile and put Excalibur at his side again.
"What do you say? Shall I bring you guys to a safer place? And no, I don't mean your hotel rooms or homes, but my own home. A few of my friends can look after you while I take care of my opponent. I don't think it's safe for either of you to wander around without protection until he's dead. He knows your faces and he never forgets those."
"Where's that?", Leo asked carefully, wondering what they really knew about this Chris guy except for his amazing stories. What was his home like, where was it? The phrase 'don't go home with strangers', his parents always told him when he was a little kid, came back to Leo.
Ellen on the other hand was all ears for this proposition. She didn't mind checking out this guy's place. At least, not when he would return after that fight he was talking about. Some nice moments together to celebrate, to get to know each other, and who knows what else? Her imagination was on a wild chase.
"San Francisco", Chris replied.
"The US?", Leo gasped. One of his biggest dreams always had been to visit the States. Especially without parents. And of course Ellen was with him now, he was no little kid anymore, what could go wrong? Chris seemed pretty trustworthy.
Seeing Ellen didn't say anything at all Leo made the decision. "Alright", he said. "Lets..."
"I warned you", they suddenly heard the familiar low male's voice say behind them.
Quickly -almost synchron- turning around, the three of them saw the man again, an energy ball spinning around above his right hand, ready to attack when necessary. Chris didn't doubt for a second and pulled Ellen and Leo closer to him and orbed out. Not to his home, but to another place in London. Chris knew he could be followed anywhere soon, and he needed some distraction first. He didn't want his enemy to find out where he would take the two mortals before he would leave them alone. Their safety came first on Chris's list now.
He didn't think of a specific location when orbing, as long as it was out of Buckingham Palace. They ended up on top of the Tower Bridge, close to the point where they met in the first place: the Tower of London.
Seeing Leo swing on the edge of the bridge, Chris tightened his grip on the boy and pulled him with Ellen and himself away from the edge. "Watch out", he said unnecessary as they all stood steady again.
"Weren't we going to the US?", Leo questioned confused. "This looks hell of a lot like we're still in London", he added while looked at the city that stretched out underneath him.
"We're still in London alright", Chris answered. "Don't wanna lead him to my place in the US do I? Wanna distract him first so I have time enough to get the two of you..."
Just then he heard the familiar twinkling sound again and he silently cursed. He had picked up their trail again. Too fast, there was no way he could distract him long enough for the other two to hide themselves. It had to happen here in London, today, now. He had to get it over with--for always.
Before turning around he motioned the other two with a small movement of his hands to run away "I'll take care of it, go", he whispered. Chris didn't wait to see if they would take his advice. Slowly he brought his hand to the heft of Excalibur and with one fast pull he got it out, turned around he faced his enemy.
"So you were saying", he continued as if there had passed no time between now and their conversation in the Tower of London. "You warned me? I don't want to do something? My memory isn't what it used to be, what was it again I didn't want to do?"
A twisted smile came upon the man's face as he saw the two mortal staring at him, and Chris facing him, only a sword in his hand to protect himself with. "Take it up against me", he replied.
"You know you are nothing against me, baby brother..."
a/n and just because I like to change my mind there's yet another part to come. But I promise it will be the very last. Now all together: awwwww -snicker-