AN: Wahhh… here you are. The next chapter! I freaken love this chapter, and the next two or three.. this fic is actually nearing completion… 6 or so chapters left I think…
And before you ask about Ha.. bleh.. the fic is boring me.. me and my friend are trying to contrive ways to make it interesting again as I type this.. so we'll see.. I have part of the next chapter written XD
Have I mentioned how much I love this chapter?
Mezurashii – that phrase just meant that Tala had her father killed
Redex – I can't believe you found that chapter boring O.o well I suppose it could have been cause of all the character thoughts.. which was necessary.. hopefully you'll like this chapter better =)
Liika was shaken to the core. She couldn't stop the tremendous tremble that over took her and she was finding it extremely hard to run.
She had stabbed someone. Quite possibly killing that someone, though she highly doubted that. She didn't think that he was one to die so easily…unless of course she hit some major artery, but she knew she hadn't. Her subconscious just wouldn't let her.
The thought of killing someone made her physically ill, even if it was the bastard that had practically destroyed her life. She just didn't have it in her.
When she stumbled, tripping over her own wobbly limbs, a firm set of arms circled around her waist and she found herself supported against a male chest. Her breathing came in short gasps and she was starting to feel like she was suffocating. She didn't just stab someone did she??
"Hey are you alright?" Michael's concerned voice sounded vaguely through her thoughts.
Liika shook her head violently, pulling off her mask and scrubbing at her face with her hands. She had to put it behind her…he deserved it… if died…good riddance! …Why couldn't she believe it?
"Liika? What's the matter? Liika, we have to keep moving…"
"I stabbed him…"
The two she was traveling with froze, their eyes widening.
Mariah was worried, not just because they were more than likely being chased, but also because her dearest friend didn't look very good. She was pale, and shaking, and it was clear that she could barely walk anymore. Her nerves were that bad.
Mariah understood what the other girl was going through—she didn't think she would have it in her to actually stab with the intent to kill. Even their enemy.
"Michael," she whispered, throwing the tall red head a look. "Carry her. I don't think she can run anymore. She's in shock."
Michael nodded, his dark eyes darting around, measuring the shadows in the ally they were hiding in. Faintly he heard shouts in the distance. "We need to go. Come on Liika," he said kindly, stepping in front of her and with Mariah's help, stringing the dazed girl over his back. "Let's jet before you really have something to be worried about."
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Jade sighed heavily, shifting in the confining vinyl that still encased some of her body. She was tired, almost unbelievably so, and she was hot…vinyl wasn't known for its light and breezy nature. And to top it all of she was sticky. Blood coated her hands and lower arms, as well as some of her abdomen and legs. Bloody man bled like a stuck pig.
She had to admit, whoever had stabbed him had done a good job. While the small knife had not ruptured or pierced any necessary organs, it had severed a few arteries, and Bryan had lost a lot of blood.
Not that she was a professional doctor or anything, but because she had been the one to find him, she had been recruited by the paramedics as a makeshift nurse and had been with him throughout the surgery, as well as assigned to keep an eye on him until someone came to relieve her.
How the hell had she been roped into it?
She didn't even much care for the pale Demolition Boy, though she couldn't say she knew him very well. Most of her time was spent with his captain, trying bravely to fend off his less than subtle advances. Not that she particularly wanted to, but because she was under 'orders' to do so.
Jade wouldn't admit it to anyone, but her attraction to the other red head had only grown in the month and a half she'd been with Biovolt. He had something about him… something… a charisma that Brooklyn didn't have, and she found herself slowly falling for the other man, no matter how hard she fought it.
She had tried over and over to convince herself that she belonged with Brooklyn, that she loved him, but the more time she spent with Tala Valkov, and away from Brooklyn, the more the sentiment slipped away.
It was only a matter of time before her resolve died completely and she fell completely to the game Tala Valkov was playing with her.
She had no illusions about what her saw in her. He saw something he couldn't have, and thus something desirable. As soon as he had her he would more than likely dump her by the way side. She didn't think she could handle that, being Brooklyn's pawn was one thing—she was convinced she loved him—but being Tala's was quite another. If anyone was going to play the game it was going to be her. She'd get what she wanted out of him, before Brooklyn killed him.
And what she wanted was to taste him.
Oh there had been times in the last month and a half that had tested her will power. It was all she could do sometimes not to lean over and kiss him. However, she knew she was being watched, and if she kissed him Brooklyn would know and things would get complicated and ugly.
She didn't know what Brooklyn would do if Tala actually succeeded in having her. Brooklyn was unpredictable, and in some ways was even more dangerous than Tala. She didn't know how she didn't see it before.
The two men that controlled her life, were the very men that scared her the most.
"That is a very pensive frown…What troubles you?" A soft voice spoke quietly, as arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind.
Jade gasped, and would have jumped had it not been for the new grip that held her firmly in place. She shuddered, a chill slithering down her spine as lips brushed across her temple. What the hell was he doing here?? How had he found her? "Bro-Brooklyn…?"
"I should hope so," he replied, his tongue flickering over her skin. "You are keeping to the rules, aren't you pretty?"
She closed her eyes, gulping down the fear and guilt that threatened to spill out of her. "Of course." She stated primly, nudging away from him. "Let me go, I'm covered in blood."
Brooklyn did as he was asked, releasing her. His eyes narrowed slightly. Something was wrong with her…something was different. He could tell it already. "What's the matter? We've been apart over a month, yet you act like it was nothing." His voice was deceptively calm, yet it held and underlying edge that warned her that danger lurked near the surface.
"Nothing," she replied quietly, stepping over to the bedside to check her patient. "I'm just tired, I haven't slept in almost twenty four hours. It's been kind of hectic."
"Ah," he mad a small sound of understanding before stepping up behind her to look over her shoulder. Brooklyn's grass colored eyes traced over the still figure on the bed, taking in his pale, sweating face and bandaged torso. "I heard there was a commotion, and that he was stabbed. He will live I suppose?"
Jade nodded, trying to hold back the uneasiness that washed over her at his nearness. How could she have not noticed it before? Brooklyn unsettled her…had it always been this way? Or was this a new development…a development that could be traced directly to him.
"A pity," Brooklyn murmured into her loose hair. "It would have been better had he died."
She kept silent, knowing better than to ask why. She didn't really want to know. Brooklyn's reasons were often either twisted or mundane.
"I can't stay long," he said, after moments of rather uncomfortable silence. "It was difficult enough getting in here. However, since I was so close, I had to see you, it's been to long Jade." Reaching over her shoulder, her grasped her chin firmly between his thumb and forefinger, turning her face towards him. "Far too long indeed…" he murmured, rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip.
She was about to speak, but was cut off when his lips descended on hers, cutting off all verbal communication for the full minute their lips were in contact with each other.
And then he was gone, disappearing in a swirl of black cape and shadows, through the chamber door before she could say a word. She sighed again. Her headache just got worse, and the tension inside her heart grew ten fold. "Why can't I love you…why can't I forget him…?"
From somewhere in the deepest shadow of the dark room, two turquoise eyes gleamed, watching everything in silence from beside a secret door.
Everything clicked into place.
The game was his.
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"Fuck."
Kai's eyes darted around, catching sight of uniformed soldiers. Hissing he grabbed Enrique and yanked him backwards, pulling the black haired boy into a near by ally. He was joined by Oliver who had Esperanza by the arm, and all four ducked behind a large trashcan.
Even though they were well disguised, and not really connected to whatever chaos had gone down in the warehouse, they weren't taking any chances. It had been decided before the masquerade that should anything happen, everyone was to split up and lie low until things died down, then slowly make it back to the safe house on the other side of the city. That and Tala had put out the order than any party goer was to be apprehended immediately and questioned thoroughly.
This did nothing for Kai's temper. He was worried, worried about his team and worried about Liika. He had this sinking feeling in his gut that whatever had happened had something to do with Liika. Life was so fucking ironic like that. The very person that needed to stay away from the spotlight was always the first one in it.
He wanted to use the communication device that Foxy had created for them to touch base with the others in his squad as well as the leaders of the other squads—they had split up into squads depending on what team you belonged too. However, things never worked out the way they were supposed to, and Kai was sure that the squads were separated and mixed up. Case and point: Oliver being with him. Oliver was apart of the Asian squad, not either of the European squads. He couldn't even contact anyone, he had to wait until things died down. It was frustrating.
If only he knew where Liika was. "Oliver, when was the last time you saw her?"
The maroon haired teen sighed, shaking his head. "About ten minutes before chaos erupted. She and Mariah went to the restrooms. I waited for them, but didn't see them come out. Then things got crazy." He stopped, knowing full well that Kai knew the rest of the story.
"Fuck!" Kai cursed again, moving to push his hands through his bangs, only to come in contact with his blond wig. His annoyance grew. "And the others?"
Oliver shook his head, a worried frown taking over his face.
"I saw Ozuma, Robert and Max just before it happened. They were dodging the snake, trying to find some way to take it out." Enrique spoke up quietly, pulling Esperanza into the shelter of his arms. The brown haired girl stayed silent, her face pinched and concerned.
"Robert and Ozuma are capable, I'm not worried about them. So is Lee and Michael, I'm more worried about the girls and the younger ones. They are in the most danger."
"But Liika and Mari are strong Kai," Anza spoke up for the first time. "And smart, Liika's gotten away before, she can do it again."
Kai said nothing, merely scowling and staring out of the ally with dark and angry eyes. They needed to move on, and he needed to put his worries behind him. Now was not the time to be agonizing over things he could do nothing about. "Esperanza, you have the bag with the clothing right?"
"Yes."
"Good." Kai nodded. "Let's get changed. The more we don't look like we were just at a party the better."
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Mariah, Michael and an unconscious Liika stopped in front of a very none descript house, ever on the watch for someone who might notice their appearance. However, it was at least one in the morning, and no one was on the streets.
The house itself was plain looking: small, with white vinyl siding and heavily curtained windows. It looked much like any other house in the small suburb in the middle of Moscow. No one could tell just by looking at it that it hid the most wanted criminals in the world.
Mariah was first up the stairs and on to the balcony, her hand quietly wrapping three times on the door before pausing and wrapping two more times. It was the agreed upon signal to let those who were inside to let whoever was knocking in. One could never be too cautious.
After a few moments the door cracked open and a tired violet eye peaked out, blinking in the darkness. It widened and instantly the door shot open, revealing a wide-eyed Emily, her hair pulled back and her glasses hazardously perched on her nose.
"Oh my God! What happened??" She cried, stepping back to let Mariah and Michael through, then closing and locking the door behind them.
"Some major shit," Michael said tiredly. He stepped over to the simple couch that sat at the far end of the front living room and placed Liika gently down on its hard cushions.
"I'll get us some ice," Mariah said before disappearing into the back of the house.
Emily bit her lip nervously, grimacing at Michael's swollen and bruising lip. Her eyes scanned Liika quickly, looking for injuries, but found none. "Tell me what happened Michael!" She demanded.
Michael ignored her, sighing and slumping down on the couch beside Liika, pushing the tiny young woman over. "The other's haven't arrived yet?"
Emily shook her head, coming over to sit across from Michael on the coffee table that occupied the middle of the room. "No, we haven't heard anything. We weren't expecting anyone either…not for much later."
The red head snorted, reaching behind him to tug out the tight ponytail that tied his unruly hair back. "Well as you know, things have a way of going awry really quickly." He sighed again, leaning back. "Where's Wakeman and the baby?"
"Nadie's sleeping," Mariah answered before Emily could, coming back into the room, two bags of ice in her hands. "And Garland is right here."
Sure enough, right behind Mariah, emerged the tall pale haired martial artist, his blue eyes sharp and alert, despite the late hour. Mariah quickly tossed the ice at Michael, who caught it deftly, and then moved to sit beside Emily on the coffee table. Garland contented himself with leaning up against the wall a few feet from Liika's end of the couch, his blue eyes studying the small group intently, as well as glancing at the clock on the wall.
The group was silent for minutes after everyone settled. Emily was dying to question the two awake members of the European team, but knew they needed some time to recover. Panic welled in her mind. Where were the rest of them? Had they been caught? Had her Maxy been caught??
The tense silence was finally broken by the high pitched wail of a baby, echoing through the empty house with frightening frequency. The four teens jumped. Garland was the first to react, however, he was soon cut off as Liika shot awake, jumping to her feet.
"Nadie!" She gasped, her eyes moving around in a confused fashion.
Garland raised an amused eyebrow. It was amazing how powerful a mother's instinct was. "She's in the back bedroom." He stated quietly, moving back to lean against the wall.
Liika disappeared in an instant and soon the wailing was silenced, and Liika returned to the front room, a sleepy, red-eyed baby in her arms, clutching at her mother's neck. Liika cuddled the child, whispering and cooing in the nonsense language that always seemed to make babies feel better. It appeared to be making the mother feel better as well.
It was only when Liika was awake, and seemed to be calm, did Emily venture to ask again what happened. She was met by silence once more, but it was a different sort of silence, it was a pensive, thinking silence, not a tense and angry one. Finally it was Mariah who answered, her voice quiet and subdued.
"There was trouble," she said, taking a big breath in. "Liika was pushed from behind…into Bryan of all people. I'm sure you can guess the reaction. I tried to stop him, but he hit me, knocking me out for a few minutes. By the time I came to, Michael was hoisting me up and telling me to run for our lives."
"I stepped in after he knocked Mari out," Michael filled in, rubbing a hand over his exhausted face. "And ended up in a fight myself. Apparently Bryan doesn't take people questioning him very well. He all but attacked he, getting in a few good punches before Liika jumped in the middle. I don't know whether to be thankful to her, or to be scolding her for doing something so incredibly stupid." He shook his head, shooting a look at the navy haired young woman.
Emily and Garland's eyes shifted from the red head to Liika who remained quiet, her attention completely focused on her baby. "What did you do Liika?" Emily asked in a scared tone, dread filling her.
There was a pause, then the hushed answer. "I stabbed him."
Emily gasped, while Garland's eyebrows shot up, his eyes widening a fraction.
He hadn't thought the little wench had it in her. In his personal opinion, he didn't think any of the women in their little 'organization' were capable of something as drastic as ending someone's life.
"I-is..is he-he de-dead??" Emily stammered, hope filling her tone.
Liika shook her head. "I don't know…but I doubt it. It was a small knife…and I don't think I hit anything any thing vital." She paused, placing a hand over her mouth and clenching her eyes shut as if the memory had just come rushing back.
Garland had to hold back a snort. Just as he figured. Unable to handle the consequences of her actions. It was plain as day that she was horrified by the fact that she had just severely injured someone—no matter who that someone was. "Don't dwell on it or it will haunt you." He stated coldly.
Liika's eyes opened, lifting to meet the tall young man's blue ones. She frowned. Somehow she felt that he was less than understanding of sympathetic. She nearly scoffed. It wasn't surprising. Garland had little respect or caring for anyone other than himself. Sometimes she wondered why he bothered staying on their team when it was obvious he felt that he would be better off on his own.
"I hate to say it," Mariah spoke up, shifting the ice on her face, "But Garland has a point. Liika you can't forget what that bastard did to you. He had it coming, what's a little pain in return for the pain he caused you? Put it out of your mind and forget it ever happened."
Liika was silence, nodding instead. She closed her eyes once more and willed the horrifying images out of her head. She would not think of it anymore!
"Parker, we should go check the perimeter," Garland said, interrupting the mood that had settled over the small group since Mariah's declaration. "I have been doing it myself, but it will go faster with two people. The girls should stay behind and rest. With this new news, who knows when we'll be forced to run."
Michael groaned, swiping at his face in agitation. "Yeah, sure." He replied, knowing the other male was right. It wasn't right for the girls to be out there.
Garland glanced at the clock, his calculating look covered. "Come on."
The red head stood, stretching his arms over his head, before quickly stringing back his hair and stepping over to the closet and grabbing a jacket from the interior. He then walked out the open door and into the night. Emily quickly got up and locked the door behind the two boys, almost sighing in relief when it was locked. She would never stop feeling unsafe.
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Liika was dozing in a back room when the attack started. Mariah and Emily were in another room, also trying to get some rest. Nadya was curled against Liika's stomach, wrapped firmly in her baby blanket, sleeping soundly.
So when the front door was kicked down Liika was the last to know. Mariah who had been curled on the couch half sleeping was the first.
Mariah screamed, shooting to her feet, her wide panicked eyes staring at the men that started streaming in over the broken door, and more specifically at the young man that smirked cruelly at her. She backed up until her back came in contact with the far wall. "No…" She whispered, her hand moving over her mouth.
The young man grinned, his crimson eyes flashing triumph. "He-llo. It appears we finally hit the jack pot." He licked his lips and stepped forward, his unnerving gaze settled completely on the shivering Mariah.
"Mariah what-" there was another shriek as Emily stepped into the room, then back stepped as she caught sight of a grinning Ian who had a semi-automatic weapon leaning against one shoulder.
Emily did the first thing that came to mind: she turned tail and ran. She could vaguely hear the footsteps that followed her, but right now she was more focused on getting to Liika and getting out of the death trap they now occupied. Where the hell was Michael and Garland?? Weren't they supposed to be looking out for things like this?? How the hell did a whole platoon of Biovolt soldiers storm their house without them noticing?
"Liika!" Emily hissed loudly, only to be met in the hallway by the very girl she sought.
"What the hell is going on?!" Liika demanded, trying desperately to shush Nadya's frightened cries.
"They found us Liika, run!" Emily screeched, pushing the blue haired girl and the baby down the hall towards the back door.
Liika inhaled sharply, the terror rising up like bile in the back of her throat. Oh God…how could this happen?! She tugged the blanket up over Nadya's head, tucking it in tightly so that no lock of lilac hair escaped. She could only delay the inevitable, and hope for the best.
The two young women scrambled madly for the back door, praying to any god that would listen for safe escape.
"Going somewhere?"
The gods, however, were not on their side, for as soon as they made it to the kitchen, and thus the back door, they were greeted by the sight of a good looking, grinning blond young man with sparkling blue eyes and a long braid. He was backed by at least thirty soldiers all carrying wicked looking firearms.
The two girls skidded to a stop and whirled, only to come face to face with Ian, who was leaning against the entrance to the kitchen.
They were trapped.
"And as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil…" Emily started to murmur, her eyes closed and her head bowed.
Liika glared at her, smacking her in the arm. "Emily!" She growled, but was then interrupted by the whimpering noises that Nadya was starting to make. She was quick to try and quiet them, murmuring in a quiet tone, and stroking the babies head through the thin blanket that covered it.
"What the hell…?" Ian muttered, stepping forward, his eyes centered on the small body Liika had clutched against her chest. His eyes narrowed. "Is that a baby?"
"Sure looks like one to me…a remarkably well behaved one as well!" The blond spoke up, righting himself from his lean.
Ian threw the blond a dry look. "I didn't ask for your input Kehl."
Mystel shrugged. "I gave it anyway."
"Shut up!" Ian grumbled under his breath, shooting the annoying blond a glare. Really, sometimes Colonel Kehl was nothing more than irritating! He turned his attention back to the two girls and the baby. He was deeply curious. They hadn't expected to find a baby—even if they weren't sure what they were going to find when the anonymous caller tipped them off about the safe house.
Ian stepped forward, reaching his hand towards the covered head that pressed against Liika's head. However, his hand was slapped away before it could make contact, and the orange haired girl stepped in front of her friend. Ian scowled in annoyance, snorting and turning on his heel. "Fine. Keep your secret. For now. Tala will know anyway." He motioned Mystel with one hand. "Bring them. They have an appointment with the supreme commander of the ESDC. And," he turned his head, his eyes centering on Liika and her navy blue hair, "I'm sure the little one would like to give her best wishes to her …unfortunate victim."
Liika and Emily gasped, and paled, huddling together.
"Come on."
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Kai watched with increasing nausea and sinking dread as the Biovolt soldiers streamed out of their 'safe' house. Please no…please…
They had returned, only to find the entire house, and block surrounded by legions of Biovolt soldiers. They were forced to watch the scene from almost a half a block away, in the middle of a milling crowd that had converged t the sight of all the military vehicles.
He had to swallow the bile as a purple head appeared in the front doorway, being shoved along by several armed soldiers. The purple head was followed by an orange head, and Kai's dread grew even more when he saw that nothing occupied her arms. No…NO!
Kai actually felt his heart stop when a final figure emerged from the building, this one smaller than the first two, and carrying a wrapped bundle.
"No…" He whispered, his teeth gritting, and his eyes blinking rapidly to stop the tears from spilling down his cheeks. Tala not only had his little girl…but his woman as well.
How did this happen?? Fucking how?!
He started forward, determined to save his girls from the fate that now befell them, however, two sets of arms wrapped around his, holding him back from moving any further.
"If you go they'll only catch you too," Oliver whispered softly, his voice heavy with emotion. "If they have you, then all is lost."
"But Liika…and Nadie…"
Oliver shook his head. "We can't help them now Kai. We have to regroup first."
"We'll get them back!" Enrique whispered fiercely, his eyes filling with tears as well. "No power in heaven or earth will stop us."
Kai was barely listening by that point. He sagged against the arms that held him back, his horror filled eyes watching as the woman he loved more than anything was shoved into the back of a van and driven away to meet his worst enemy, and back to the man that broke her.