A/N- feedback would be great, is this style of swapping too confusing?Is everyone up to speed, do I need recaps at the start of each chapter. anyone you want to see more of? Come on talk to me here!
AN2- Yes Jace (BJ's boss) is the Jace. The thing about the Sharks is real.
AN3- Please check out the broken worlds awards to support DA and also the dadiscussion board on yahoo groups to talk DA (you also get sneak previews of this story!)
AN4- Why are you still reading these... on with the story!
CHAP 3. Standing at the bottom, looking up.
The presence of someone else in the room was what awakened Coco from her sleep and her whole body tensed as she considered the position of her enemy and how mobile she was. Her hand slipped under her pillow and she grabbed the gun she had stashed there the night before, slowly drawing it out to aim at the intruder. The clink of glass was-- Wait, glass?
Coco opened an eye to see a tousled dark blond head closing the door and edging in. she pulled the gun out and pointed.
He froze as she fixed him with one eye.
"It's dangerous to creep up on an armed transgenic—"
"I made breakfast."
"Unless you come bearing food," she finished smoothly and sat up, pushing the gun back under her pillow. "Morning, Jason."
Jason put the tray on the bedside table and sat down eyeing her warily. "You always greet potential sleep disturbers that way?"
"No, I was being friendly," she joked. "Normally I just shoot and ask questions later."
He half-smiled and she giggled. "I'm kidding. Manticore has… had bugle boys to wake us up."
"Bugle boys?" Jason smirked and Coco shrugged.
"Made sense to me."
"Good morning, Coco," he greeted and leaned over to press a kiss on her cheek.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and sighed. "I like this way of waking up."
"Hmm, orange juice with weaponry," he laughed. "I gotta admit that particular fantasy passed me by."
Coco chuckled as she reached for the juice and plate of pancakes.
Jason watched her eat in silence as he sipped his coffee, it was a comfortable silence and one that he didn't want to upset, but there were some things that he had to know.
"Uh, Coco?"
"Hmm?" she said with a mouth full of pancakes and syrup.
"What were your plans? You know now that you don't have to be soldier girl anymore?"
Coco froze and gently placed her fork on the plate. "I'll always be soldier girl, Jason. But now that I don't have to answer to Manticore? I don't know, my only thought was coming to see you, after that I was pretty much blank. Still am."
Jason's heart pounded at her confession even though she didn't look up.
"I guess if you want to see me, I need to get some sort of job and apartment or something. If you don't, I guess I should probably head back to Seattle to find my Unit," she bit her lip and finally looked up. "No pressure or anything."
"Coco, do you remember what I said when we had dinner that time? I'm hardly the type of guy for a woman like you, I'm a nerd; you could have anyone that you want."
"That a no?" she played with her fork wondering why that stung.
Jason tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to his, "I was falling for you when we had dinner, by dessert I was done. I was devastated when you left and all I can think about right now is kissing you."
Coco grabbed the back of his head, "Do more than think," and brought his eager lips to hers.
----
Skye and Steve sat with the rest of their unit playing cards and waiting for Alec to lose to Zan at Pool, Max had been bating them for hours and pretty soon Alec would lose his cool and Zan would win. Alec hated it when Max flirted with anyone and it made him sloppy. Zan knew it and wasn't afraid to play on it and was pleased that Max was playing along. She enjoyed watching Alec lose his cool as much as anyone, she said it was cute.
Flex leaned over and teased Skye as she put down three aces beating them all again. Cece groaned as she handed in her matches forfeiting her next turn. Cece had never really understood cards and often lost but the great thing about her was that no matter how often she lost, she was always willing to play, after all, she said, what were matches? It wasn't like she was scared of the dark. Chance poked her tongue out at her for that remark.
Speaking of scared though, Techie curled into his chair as far away from Feen— who was eyeing him lasciviously— as he could while Emma and Chance giggled at his terrified expression. That boy was so afraid of his girlfriend that even she found it funny. The boys had tried to tell him that he shouldn't let his fear rule him and yet they, too, wouldn't go near her to tell her that she scared him. Wimps the lot of them and Feen luxuriated in the power that the small bundle of sass held over them. Aiden and Dek arm-wrestled over the last chocolate biscuit with Anna egging them on, not noticing that B.J. had already eaten it. Drew rolled her eyes as she poured over another course book convinced that the test tomorrow would sneak something in that she wasn't prepared for. Mets watched her from the corner of his eye as he laid down two kings and Cece groaned again. B.J. was writing in the corner and ignoring them all as he brushed biscuit crumbs from his mouth. Steve tickled Skye's ear and she batted him away laughing at Coco's joke about the bugle boy with the black eye and Dek looked over sheepishly at the reminder. Then Biggs suddenly announced that he was tired and going to bed with Sunny, who laughed aloud and let him drag her away, Carrot and Tara following after. Pix made a joke about a four-some and Chance punched him moaning in disgust. Steve edged against Skye and started to elbow her in the side, gentle at first and then more and more painful.
She turned to give him a mouthful only to have him punch her ribs. With a painful gasp Skye woke up.
Galen had twisted in the night and he was shaking, his little mouth opening and closing but no sound emerging as he thrashed against her.
"Galen?" Skye shook him. "Galen wake up!"
The small boy opened his eyes wide, sweat making his fringe stick to his forehead, his breath was coming rapidly and his bottom lip trembled as he fought tears.
"It's okay, Galen, Skye's here." Skye wrapped her arms around his tiny body and rocked, her own lip trembling as she recalled her own dream. For a second it had all been so real. Her and Steve and the rest of them just hanging around like they used to do, just being in the same place talking and playing and having a few minutes of fun in the otherwise dark world of Manticore. It had never been a picnic or a great place to live, but just then, that moment, had been perfect and her heart hurt with longing of wanting that perfect moment back. A single tear escaped its confines and trailed down her cheek as she grabbed Galen and held him close rocking back and forth.
"I'm here," she choked. Galen looked up at her with wet chocolate eyes and burrowed into her neck, his flyaway hair tickling her. They sat that way for several moments in silence whilst Skye tried to calm down.
"Skye?"
She looked up to see Zeph standing at the bottom of the bed, his eyes red as he rubbed them.
"Yeah?"
"Did Galen have another nightmare?"
She nodded and Zeph came closer sitting on the end of the bed.
They had walked through the forest to find a place to stay for three weeks, stealing what they could and foraging so that they wouldn't be found. Two days ago they had found a tiny rundown shack on the outskirts of Seattle in some place called Tacoma which used to be part of a nature reserve. When the pulse hit the place spun out of control and the majority of it was vast woodlands and forests. It had been the perfect place to hide in and yet they needed civilisation. Flex had wandered into town leaving Skye in the shack with the Greeks and gone to look for food.
He'd come back with a job, a pay check and a place to stay.
Skye hadn't taken much convincing to bring them all into the city and to the place that had been given to Flex in return for his work.
It wasn't a great place to live, a small three bed-roomed house situated by the centre of what was once the national park. It wasn't too far from the town, close enough to get to the market and the scattered shops, but far enough so that they could have peace and quiet, away from prying eyes.
Skye had settled in with the Greeks and used the last few days to rest and come to terms with things.
With Nyx and Icarus in one room and Isacar and Zeph in the other, Galen hadn't wanted to part with Skye and she let him sleep in with her and Flex, wanting the comfort of the small child even as he craved hers. Flex hadn't minded, tired as he was from his job, he just wanted to sleep.
Zeph clambered on the bed and stared at Skye.
"Did you have a bad dream too?"
Skye couldn't get over the fascination that Zephyr had with her, she had never been one for small children and yet the tiny dynamo was totally taken with her, his eyes often following he around the room and he would do anything for her. It was unnerving.
"Small one," she confessed. "What are you doing up this early, Zeph?"
"Flex gave us some money and said we were supposed to buy some clothes, I think he meant you were taking us shopping or something."
Skye nodded, she had discussed this with Flex and knew that the Greeks had to have more than the faded, ripped and torn khakis that she had washed the moment they had hot running water. They were so used to communal Manticore showers that the idea of running around naked in front of each other was nothing to them and they had sat in front of the fire as their clothes dried. All the same if they were to go out into human society they needed more sets than that unless they wanted to attract the unwitting attention of the social services.
"Okay, uh, shopping for clothes, right. I guess we'd better get breakfast then , huh," She nudged Galen who smiled up at her and pressed an innocent kiss to her nose. Skye laughed.
"Nyx and Icarus are already cooking breakfast," Zeph said. "But I think Nyxie might punch Icarus if she doesn't stop talking."
Skye understood totally, Icarus was sweet enough, often reminding her of Sunny, but the girl could talk for America and she wanted to talk to Skye all of the time. Skye wasn't sure how to react to that. She wasn't a child person and had no idea how to talk to them… What she was, was a soldier.
She was a good soldier.
"Okay, up now!" she picked up Galen and tossed him gently to Zeph feeling rewarded with Galen's giggle at the action. "Okay, our mission is to stop the bloodshed between Icarus and Nyx and to shop for clothes. Will you accept the mission?"
Zeph saluted, followed quickly by Galen, "Yes, ma'am."
"Very well," Skye nodded glad that she had found a way to deal with them. "To the kitchen!"
--
"So none of the Special Ops team or Unit 8 have made it here at all?" Feen sagged and Mole fought the urge to reach across and pat the young girl on the head.
"Don't worry your head about it, Red," he said. "Sooner or later all the Xs will show here."
Feen bit her lip and leaned against the console where Dix was working with his computer.
"I was so sure that some of them would have made it here already," she shook her head, her curls floating around her face. "I miss my friends."
"Yeah, well," Mole scratched his head. "I'm just glad ta be outta that hellhole."
"Oh, me too," Feen smiled at him. "So what are you working on?"
"Me and the boys are trying to fix some sort of security system together. Sooner or later we are gonna have problems with the ordinaries and I wanna be prepared."
Feen nodded and leaned over Dix, "Correlate that code to the feedback, which should help the link-up," she turned back to Mole. "What kind of set-up do you have here already?"
"Each section has their own security, I think. Transhumans tend to stay with transhumans and Xs with Xs, anomalies with their kind. We don't tend to mix it up."
"That's dumb," Feen said in her usual manner. "We are all transgenics, Max used to say that no matter what we look like on the outside, we all have a barcode and that makes us in this together."
"Max?"
"X5-452."
"Oh, the one who set up the signal?" Dix turned in interest. "That was smart thinking."
Feen nodded, "She and 494—Alec—set things so we can trust each other. Which is why it's dumb that everyone is segregated. It would be so much better if we all teamed up to make this place secure."
"Xs think they are above freaks because they can mix with ordinaries," Dix filled in. "They see us as a burden coz we can't go amongst the outsiders and get food and whatever."
"Huh," Feen considered this and tucked her hand in her jean pockets. One of their first days out of Manticore they had found an old abandoned laundry and had stolen some clothes that had been left behind. She planned to go shopping and steal… borrow some new threads as soon as possible.
"Xs like your pal Anna, don't want to hang out here much," Mole gestured over to where the Chinese girl was sitting in one corner away from everyone, working on some calculations.
Feen looked away and shrugged, "Anna isn't exactly what you'd call sociable. She'd be the same on Oak Street, Main street or back in Manticore. She's an acquired taste."
Mole chuckled and glared at those who stared up at him, "Speaking of acquired tastes, where's your boyfriend?"
"Techie was off on Oak Street, possibly hunting for info on our friends, but most likely avoiding me."
"Avoiding you?"
"Hmm," Feen smiled. "He's scared of me, it's fine."
Mole raised a scaly eyebrow, "Your guy is scared of you?"
Feen giggled, "Techie has always been terrified of me; do I look scary to you?"
Mole eyed the tiny redhead with bright eyes and mischievous smile. "Not at all."
"Good, I like to have the upper hand."
Mole decided that as Xs went, this was one he could grow to like having around.
----
Chance was so tired but she couldn't sleep, her Shark DNA was rampant tonight and no matter how much she wanted to curl into a ball and seek oblivion, her eyes were wide open. She rolled over in bed and stared at a sleeping Pix, his face relaxed and vulnerable and suddenly had the urge to hit him.
She pulled herself out of bed, tugging on Pix's white shirt, and walked over to the window, the pane glistening in the moonlight despite its less that pristine colour. The motel that they were staying in was easily one of the most disgusting places that she had ever seen, but at least it was cheap and somewhere to sleep. Even if they did have to lay a blanket over the bed so they didn't have to touch the disgusting mattress. The problem was that not many people came through Carnation. Since the pulse hit, the main industrial district had filtered out and left pretty much a ghost town, with only a few scattered cafes and factories to support the few workers, and they were all full. There was no one rich enough to steal off and there was nothing of any worth stealing. To Chance the place was dirty, decrepit and totally off the map so Renfro wouldn't be looking for them there. She wouldn't expect her soldiers to live in filth when they could head to the big cities and pick any pocket. In that way it was ideal for keeping them out of sight until the heat died down, whether that took weeks, months or…
Chance bit back a sob at the thought of not seeing Biggs or Alec or Feen for a year. Pix turned over on the bed and Chance hugged herself closer to the wall, sliding down it until she was sat on the carpet under the window. The fading moonlight casting shadows on her bare legs, she didn't want to wake Pix. He had been so great, no matter how inconsistent her moods became he was there by her side trying to give her what she needed, when she wasn't even sure what it was that she wanted. One second she'd be fine and the next she'd want to scream and cry and be held. But when he held her she knew that there was something wrong and it hurt that, no matter how much she loved and adored him, Pix wasn't enough right now.
She felt guilty even thinking it.
She loved him so much that it was like a vice around her heart and yet there was something missing. What was it that made her skin itch and her hands grab for something that just wasn't there? What was it that made her want to be a million miles away and yet never leave his side? Why wasn't she content to have him there with her?
She clenched her fists tighter letting her nails cut into her palms.
"Chance?" Pix raised his head and saw her sitting under the window, anguish written on her face. He sat up and peered down at her watching while tears made their way down her face.
"Couldn't sleep?"
Chance used the sleeve of the shirt to rub across her face and shook her head silently.
Pix watched her for a bit longer and then pushed the covers back to stand up. "How about I make us some coffee?"
Chance nodded, feeling wretched that he didn't ask and yet knew that she'd yell at him if he did. Tears slipped down her cheeks and Pix stood in front of her hesitantly.
He held out his hands and Chance staggered to her feet and threw herself into his strong arms, sobbing her heart out onto his strong chest.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry."
"Shh baby, it's okay."
Pix soothed her and kissed her silky soft hair muttering nonsense to calm her racing heart.
"Tomorrow we pick up our check from Fabio, we cash it and we head back to Seattle," he said decisively.
Chance pulled back and gaped at him.
"No, Renfro will…"
Pix placed a hand over her lips, "We find Biggs, and Max and Alec and Feen or we die trying. I won't let you hurt like this."
Her eyes were hopeful at his confident assurance and he smiled his usual rakish grin. "Besides I think if I play one more trick on Fabio he'll kick me out anyway."
Chance giggled and Pix knew that he had made the right decision. He promised that he'd keep her safe and he would, he'd have more scope in Seattle anyway.
He picked her up and tucked her into bed, kissing her nose before heading to the kitchen. "I'll make us that coffee."
----
The amber drink in front of him wasn't doing its job, thought Aiden as he stared down at the small amount of liquid sitting in his glass.
Alcohol, especially double whisky wasn't supposed to slip down like lemonade. He peered at the barman suspiciously and wondered if he was watering down the drink.
"Hmm," he narrowed his eyes and pulled his drink closer, in case they did try anything with it.
Dek's lips twitched, "Uh, Aiden, pal. I think you've had enough."
Aiden glared at his dark haired friend who was laughing at him, "But Dek, water doesn't make a man drunk. Whisky doesn't make a transgenic drink…drank."
"Drunk," Dek corrected, "And yes it does if he has had eight doubles in a row. Even trannies only have one liver."
"Spoil-sport," Aide pouted and Dek fought the urge to laugh uproariously at his friend. It wouldn't preserve the right image. His eyes scouted around the dark bar with its rustic charms, a 'real western' bar in the middle of Seattle, the TV, playing some baseball game, fixed to the wall; the barman rubbing glasses that didn't look like they had ever been washed let alone needed drying and the dark panelled wood giving a homey feel to the almost empty barroom. He glanced over to the other end of the bar where two men sat in shadows; he smirked and turned back to the bar.
Two days ago Dek had begun subtle enquiries into how to purchase or offload certain elusive and hazardous items of a delicate nature. He'd been pointed this way and was told that this was a feeding ground for purchasers and sellers. In other words, if you want in on the black-market, haul ass to Tavern C and wait.
Of course Aiden had come with him to make sure that he didn't get into trouble and had started to drink, that was entertainment in itself, but Dek had been waiting for hours and he had finally uncovered something worth waiting for.
He sauntered over to the other end of the bar and sat by a bulky man wearing a white and red baseball hat and smoking a cigarette, his beer clasped in one hand and the other on his knee. His dark hair, liberally smattered with white was shaggy and unkempt, curling under the rim of the cap to lie flat against his large neck. His checked shirt hid the majority of his beer-belly but the folded back sleeves exposed impressive forearms suggesting that he was more than he seemed.
"Hey there, Stan," Dek greeted. "Enjoy the game?"
The man eyed him and shrugged.
Dek pulled up the collar on his leather jacket and ordered another beer and one for his new pal, 'Stan'. He didn't care if that was the guy's name, it didn't matter much anyway. All he wanted to know was if the man could be a potential buyer.
"So, Stan, you a big Cubs fan?"
'Stan' sat up straighter, his eyes alert and fixed on his beer. "Maybe, I am. What's it to ya?"
"You hear about Sammy Sosa's baseball getting stolen?" Dek shook his head. "Right out from under the guards noses, damn shame."
Come on 'Stan', tell me you're interested.
"756 runs," 'Stan' ventured. "Lotta mileage on that one."
Dek nodded, "What I wouldn't give for that, why the sentimental value alone is priceless."
"I'd say more ten grand," 'Stan' said and Dek grinned into his beer as the buyer named his price.
"No way," Dek argued. "Twenty at least."
"Twelve?"
"Seventeen."
"Sixteen, no more, no less," 'Stan' stated definitely.
Dek nodded, considering. "Yeah, I guess that it would, shame no one knows where it is. You come here a lot, Stan?"
"Most days, every other when the wife lets me out."
"Got no wife, got a drinking buddy," he looked over at Aiden who was explaining in great detail to his whisky that animals could sense danger. "I think he's had his limit. Maybe I'll see you around," Dek rifled in his pocket for some cash and threw it on the bar to cover his drink and Stan's. "Bye Stan."
Stan nodded and turned back to the game.
Dek walked over to Aiden, "Aide?"
"Shh," Aiden said. "I'm bonding."
"With the whisky?" Dek asked dryly.
"It's special Whisky," Aiden insisted and looked down into the almost empty glass. "I miss B.J."
"Yeah," Dek sighed and raked a hand through his hair. B.J.'s dark humour was always appreciated.
Aiden continued. "I miss Pix and Flex."
"Oh yeah," Pix's jokes would really come in handy right now to cheer him up and Flex always made everyone laugh enough to forget their problems.
"And Sunny."
"Yeah." Damn she was sweet and had that mommy thing that made them feel cared for.
Aiden frowned into his whisky. "And Anna."
Dek stared at him, "You've had enough." Dek grabbed Aiden's elbow and hauled him out of his chair and dragged him to the exit.
"No more whisky for you!"
---
"Oh hey, Carrot."
Carrot gritted his teeth and tried to calm himself with twenty-three different ways of removing Logan Cale's teeth—without anaesthetic—then he turned around and looked down at the man in the wheelchair.
"Logan."
"How did things go on the other side of the fence?"
"Do you mean did I find out who ripped off the Mayor's Town car?"
Logan nodded and Carrot leaned against the counter, grabbing an apple from the fruit basket.
"Sure, I found it over in Sector 4."
Logan frowned, "Huh."
"With about five hundred hits of ecstasy in the trunk."
Logan's jaw dropped unattractively. "Well, did you find out who took it?"
"Sure," Carrot allowed himself a small smile. "Was this a personal favour to the Mayor from Eyes Only?"
"Hardly," Logan folded his arms over his chest. "The Mayor is a major crook. I have been looking to bring him down for months." He prompted, "Well?"
"Well," Carrot took a bite of his apple. "I traced the ecs to that dealer over in Sector 4, you know Mario. Well, Mario got it off Sherrie who he pimps for."
Logan frowned, "The hooker stole it?"
"Uh uh, Sherrie got it off his Honour as a gift."
"That what she says?" Logan said sceptically.
"No, that's what the signed pink slip says," Carrot grinned. "Apparently the Mayor was so blasted he gave it to her. Sherrie says she won't go to the press if he drops charges against Mario."
Logan stifled a laugh. "Really?"
"Oh and she really wants to keep the car."
"I'll pass on the message."
Carrot nodded and bit into his apple. "So what did you call me here for, oh Yoda?"
Logan glowered at him, "Been watching TV?"
Carrot dropped the casual act and glared hard at Logan. "Not a lot else to do when you're holding my girlfriend hostage."
Okay, that was a slight exaggeration. It was just that Logan was keeping her so busy at the paper all day and he was off on missions most of the night. if he had a really sceptical nature—which he did—he'd think Logan was actively trying to keep them apart—which he did.
"Tara isn't held hostage," Logan protested. "She's in gainful employment."
"So am I." Carrot said icily. "What do you want, Logan?"
Logan sighed at having to deal with the overprotective and irate transgenic. "I got a call off the police radio about a half our ago. Some guy spotted a dog in his yard."
"Alert the presses," Carrot deadpanned.
"But then he said it was a man, a dog-man. Then two, two dog-men."
"Either call AA or animal control, doesn't have anything to do with me," Carrot was tired and knew that Tara would be home soon. He wanted to go back and wait for her there with Cece. He turned on his heel and walked back towards the door thinking of curling up on the sofa with Tara and teasing Cece.
"One with a barcode."
Carrot stopped in his tracks and rolled his eyes before turning around. "A barcode?"
"A barcode."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on.
"If I do this, I want something."
"What?" Logan grinned. "Except for the job, the money and the apartment?"
"Cece hasn't been feeling herself; Tara thinks it's to do with her DNA. I need some medication for headaches and nausea."
"You know if I could meet this Cece, I'm sure I could—"
"No," stated Carrot firmly. There was no way that he was going to introduce Cece to Logan to be just another pawn in whatever game Eyes Only was playing. "Just the medication."
"Fine," Logan suddenly smirked. "After all I wouldn't want you to get upset with me, would I? I can get it by this afternoon. Make sure you come back."
"Sure, fine, whatever."
"As for the dog-man?"
He really hated Logan Cale.
"Where?"
Logan smiled.
---
"Hundred-Forty-seven… Hundred-Forty-Eight… Hundred-Forty-Nine… Hundred-Fifty!"
Drew let her arms drop her to the floor and she rested her head against the soft carpet, the sweat missing with the fibres.
"Damn, wish I could still do that."
Drew smiled into the plush carpeting. "I used to be able to do three hundred without breaking a sweat."
"Yeah, well," Ed walked in with his dog at his feet. "I think with your injuries, you're kinda entitled to some slack."
Drew nodded and hauled herself to her feet, sitting back on the bed. "I'll be glad when I can get back to myself, I'm sick of being weak."
"Not exactly weak," Ed muttered as he handed her the newspaper. "If I'd just suffered the internal damage that you did I wouldn't be able to change a tire, let alone check over the engine. Thanks for that, by the way."
"She running?"
"Like a dream."
Drew grinned. After a few days in bed, Drew had insisted that she earn her keep and so Ed had given her little jobs to do around the house, everything from peeling vegetables to walking the dog. Then she had gone into his garage and fallen in love with his old car; a classic 1968 Oldsmobile with cherry-red paintwork—under the rust—and black leather seats. It was a wreck and Drew vowed that before she left she would fix it up for Ed. She had a good start by fixing the engine and checking the internal workings, which left her more tired than she liked, but at least she felt like she was helping out, or paying him back for his kindness; although there was something that she wanted to talk to him about.
"Ed?"
"Yeah?"
Drew bit her lip, "I miss my family and I want to find them."
Ed nodded and sat down on the bed next to her stroking Nancy's head with his strong hands. The dog yipped in appreciation. "I get that, I do. But if this Renny—"
"Renfro," Drew corrected.
"Renfro and her goons are out to getcha, you need to be in fighting fit form. Right now, you look like you went ten rounds with Nancy here and lost six."
Drew laughed at that as she stared at the floppy eared, droopy-eyed mutt lolling at her feet. "I guess."
"Rest up," Ed nudged her "Get your strength back. You're more good to 'em healthy than broken."
Drew nodded, his words making sense. "I just wish they were here."
"I don't!" Ed said and her head snapped up. "Well, with how much you eat, I couldn't take two of ya!"
Thinking of the tiny portion that she managed to swallow this morning Drew laughed.
Ed patted her knee and stood up, "Get you some rest, now, pretty one. You'll be back with those brothers of yours soon."
Drew watched as Ed hobbled away.
"I hope so."
---
She looked like an angel, though Zan as he stroked Emma's hair spilling in a halo around her head on her pillow. Her dark spiky hair with its red streaks had grown out so that the dark brunette locks reached her shoulder and curled around her nape in an enticing way, framing her delicate, pale features.
Zan smiled at her glad that she was asleep. The poor girl hadn't had much rest these past few days, seemingly spending most of her time tossing and turning to try to purchase some peace.
He stroked her hair again and sighed.
This wasn't exactly how he'd seen his life on the outside, when he had thought of it.
He'd imagined himself with Max and Pix, hanging around making jokes, maybe getting a job somewhere together and having a blast. He didn't begrudge Emma or her need to be taken care of, but he wished that it hadn't been him.
Oh, he loved the girl, she was just like Sunny to him, a dear sister, but she'd never be Max. He may have gotten over his crush on his Unit mate but there would always be that bond between them and it stung that she couldn't be near him.
"Nono," whispered Emma and Zan shushed her quietly.
"Its okay, Em, I'm here now."
Emma went back to sleep never knowing about the man that sat there all night just watching over her.
----
"I'm back!"
"In here!" Icarus called and Flex grinned, dropping his bag and making his way back into the kitchen where the noises were coming from.
"Hey guys, what's happening?"
"Me and Nyx are trying to teach Isacar how to cook."
"Pointless exercise," drawled Isacar. "That's what fast food is for."
Flex hid a smile at Icarus's glare at her brother. While Icarus reminded him of Sunny, Isacar was a mixture of Dek's dry wit and Aiden's quiet confidence. He never failed to make Flex grin.
"Hey Skye," he greeted and she flickered a small smile in his general direction.
Galen was on her knee and she was pointing to words in a book and sounding them out for the small boy.
Zeph was sitting by her side with a book in front of him.
"Hey Zeph, what are you reading?"
"Midsummer Night's Dream," Zeph shook his head and looked up. "I think Mr. Shakespeare was a Psy-Ops case."
"Agreed," Isacar said. "Wait until you get to King Lear, it's… fun."
"Give me a chance, I'm only nine," Zeph reminded.
"I'm just impressed you're sitting still long enough to read," Flex remarked as he sat on the table tickling Galen who cast him a sweet smile.
"We went shopping today," Nyx informed him with her usual serious tone. "We have enough groceries to last two weeks and we bought some clothing."
"That's great, anything nice?"
Nyx raised an eyebrow and Flex bit back another grin. "Let me guess, nothing in pink?"
Icarus giggled as Nyx sighed in long-suffering and turned back to her mixing bowl.
He turned to Skye. "Everything okay, Skye?"
"Fine," her voice was short. "I bought you some shirts and some jeans."
"Thanks." He was stung at the shortness in her voice. She had been this way for most of the past two weeks. He had thought that maybe she was becoming stir crazy or getting fed up with being stuck in all day with the Greeks. "Hey, we could always eat out tonight. I was told that there was this great Mexican place in town. It's a hike but that way we'd work up an appetite. Fancy it?"
"I'm in!" Zeph crowed and slammed his book shut.
Skye looked up and pinned him with a look. "The girls have been cooking all morning and you want to go out?"
Flex bit his lip, "Sorry girls, I wasn't thinking."
"That's for sure," Skye snapped.
"Hey, I said I was sorry."
"It'll freeze," Icarus said quickly, ever the peace maker. "I like Mexican."
"It's a waste of money since we bought enough food today. Don't forget there are seven of us for it to go around."
Even Nyx winced at the sharp tone in Skye's voice.
"Skye, I said I was sorry. The dinner looks great," Flex beamed at Icarus and Nyx. "I'm starving."
"Whatever." Skye stood up and walked out of the room.
Zeph watched her go and turned worried eyes back to Flex. He sighed as he felt five pairs of eyes watching him.
"It's okay," he soothed. "She doesn't mean to be crabby. Our old Unit was like family and she's just missing them."
"I always thought that Special Ops and Unit 8 were the same," Icarus said. "You all seemed to mix so well together."
Flex nodded, "That we did. Look, Skye is out of sorts, she didn't mean anything by that."
"That's what you said yesterday," Isacar pointed out. "Are we a burden, because we could always get jobs ourselves?"
"No!" Flex said firmly. "You are not a burden. Skye doesn't mean that. It's true that because there are seven of us there is less money, but we are Manticore, okay, we'll make it fit."
"I can economise," Icarus said bravely and Flex leaned over to kiss her head.
"Good girl," he sighed. "I'm gonna give Skye a hand."
"Make sure she doesn't bite it off," offered Isacar dryly.
Flex walked into the front room where Skye sat on the sofa.
"Hey, you know you look like Skye and talk like Skye… but you're acting like Anna."
"What?"
Flex sat by her side, "She-who-must-be-obeyed? The voice of treason? Anna the bitch?"
"I'm that bad?" she winced.
"Recently, yeah."
"Sorry," she leaned against him. "I guess I'm having issues."
"Aren't we all," he said wryly. "Skye, those kids in there have been through hell, right there along with us they have seen some pretty nasty stuff. Go easy on them. They have the same guilt trip thing that the Trainers stuck on us and they hadn't time to make the Unit their own like we did."
Skye turned to him, "Are they okay?"
"You scared them."
She sighed, "Damn, I was never very good with kids."
"We never had to be. Now we do."
"I'm not a natural like you," she pointed out.
"They're okay; just think of them as mini-people."
Skye giggled and nodded, "Mini-people?"
"Like mini-skittles, only you can't knock them about as much." Flex wrapped his arm around her and rested his chin on her head. "Don't look now but we're being watched!"
Skye slowly turned her head to see Galen's head peeking around the corner with Zeph's just above it.
"It's all clear!" Flex called. "Hurricane Skye has blown over!"
"Yay!" Zeph raced in and launched himself at Flex. Galen crawled onto Skye's lap and draped his hands around her neck.
"Do I look like monkey bars?" Flex asked Zeph who shrugged.
"Never been in a monkey bar," he said cheekily. "Too young to drink!"
"All right, that's enough!" Flex yelled light-heartedly. "Why do I get surrounded by smart-asses?"
Skye waited until she was in the doorway before she answered playfully. "Because next to you, anyone's smart!"
With a gasp of mock-outrage Flex chased her into the kitchen.
----
Syl winced as she pulled her shoulder slightly. Okay, painting with rambunctious ten year olds while recovering from a bullet wasn't the best of ideas. But she loved her job and had wanted to get back to it so had left Seattle as soon as possible. Zack wasn't pleased about her decision and Ben had been furious, but Syl knew her place.
While she was as worried about little Maxie as the rest she also was aware that if Max wanted to go to ground, which she undoubtedly would as a member of Special Ops, then there was little that either Syl or Zack could do to find her.
"Mack Dreyfuss, if you put that in Amy's hair I'll tie you to the desk!" she called as a tyrannical ten year old blinked innocently with his paintbrush brandished in the air.
Syl sighed as she massaged her shoulder where the bullet had entered and pulled her long blonde hair back into a ponytail so that it didn't dip in the paint again.
The trouble with Zack was that he wanted to protect everyone and he didn't realise that they were old enough to lead their own lives without his interference. She knew that he still thought of them as his little siblings who needed their big brother in order to function in the big bad world. Maybe that had been true at one time, but Syl had rapidly grown out of the need to fill in Zack on every aspect of her life.
In fact, she hadn't even needed him back in Manticore. She was more than an adequate second in command and had quickly formulated a plan to integrate into the enemy world. Syl had turned up on the steps of a police station and said that her guardian had tried to hurt her so she had run away. The police were sympathetic and had taken her straight away to a foster agency, her blonde hair and elfin looks had quickly secured her a place and she had quite a good childhood. Good when compared to someone like Seth whose foster father had tried to abuse him—before Seth had broken his arm that was—and had spent most of his young years running from one bad situation to another. Zack had found her after about two years on the outside and she had informed him that, while she was happy to see him, she didn't need his interference and she wasn't going to move on, thank you very much.
"Mack, we paint on paper, not on walls!"
Of course Zack had ranted and raved about the need to lie low and keep of Lydecker's radar and Syl had patiently listened, smiling and nodding and then told him to shut up. She was second in command and she was fine where she was and leaving her foster situation would draw more attention to her that staying put would. Zack had, reluctantly, agreed and she had let him go.
"If I have to tell you again, Mack, to put that down, you'll be sorry!"
Her life had been uneventful—despite her luck with men—and she liked it like that. She still had contact with her foster parents, who were sweet and supportive, and she was in constant contact with Krit, the one of her brothers who had ignored Zack's dire warnings and travelled to see her.
She remembered the union with a smile. He'd come to see her during class time and she had looked up from the history class to see a strange dark haired man peering into the classroom. She had immediately thought that he was some pervert wanting to run off with one of her kids and she had stood up, her eyes flashing only to see him look at her with a twinkle in his, oh so familiar, eyes and poke his tongue out at her the way he had done while they were back at Manticore.
That class had never forgotten the girly squeal that Ms. Crayford had given as she had seen her long lost brother and the dance she had done as she had thrown herself into his arms.
"Mack, you're not allowed to pin Marcy's braids to the table."
Syl shook her head self- depreciatingly as she thought of how giddy she had been to see Krit. Of course, she was still that way whenever she saw him. He had never felt brotherly to her and she had a sneaking suspicion that her feelings for him were more than sisterly, something that she desperately wanted to hide from him. He had seen some of her more spectacular relationship failures and the last thing she needed was for her one saving grace to feel sorry for her. He was the one who really understood her and there was no way she was going to jeopardise that with some silly sentimental nonsense. She half grinned as she realised that she sounded like Zack.
As a blob of blue paint sailed past her nose Syl realised that she really should be paying attention to her class rather than her non-relationships.
"Mack!"
------
Crazy-Vampire Slayer- I think its safe to say that people will make it to TC, even if certain ones are no longer with us at that point.
Given Alias- yeah I think 50 pages is pushing it a bit too much! Sorry sweets!
SGOU- I have a very young Brad Pitt in mind for Jason, I think it fits somehow. The Skye thing gets more prominent and culminates in an explosion. That should be fin to watch… read. I adore Carrot here, he wasn't a favourite originally but he is growing on me! You guessed at least one of my plans! But I'm not saying which one!
Jade- ain't they just adorable? I thought it made more sense than the familiars at any rate.
Lynsi- I think Logan didn't have Max's softening influence so he is more of an ass in this story, and hmm don't BJ and Jace make a cute couple? Hehe no!
Lynn- 50670- We will uncover more about poor little Emma's condition soon. And yeah Jace is the Jace.
Natacup82- Much more Drew and Dek here. And future chapters are Dek-ful!
Messymissy- yeah huge story. There is so much to write about too! Yeah the bit about the Sharks is true. Amazing what research does for ya huh? If you think TC in the first place it was a city, just abandoned buildings that noone wanted to go near. Word of mouth would have made it the place to go, but its still not exactly what you'd think yet.
TiffanyAnn- sorry about the withdrawal. I check often for updates… and then remember I have to write them! Oh yeah I wouldn't leave my angst! There will be tears to come.
Sigma1- LOL, okay Drew back with others… uh might have to take a raincheck.
Natasqi- that's okay, I think we are caught up on where everyone is right now. Cheers pet.
Lozz422- its also true, which is a bonus too. Zack and Jondy? Huh. Interesting.
Moonlite star- oh I will, I adore the Greeks. I think I love little Zeph and Isacar!
Geminangel- Its great that you can think that. I sometimes see something or hear something and think—oh that is so Dek or Aiden. Makes me wonder if I'm strange.
Kayelie- hey sweets, thank you very much fro reviewing. Please continue to enjoy!
Ganko- he he wowed? I like that. yeah its not lie the SO girls are shy at all!
Fangedangel- I wouldn't say that they don't like her… it's just that they don't 'get' her. She is a bit of a bitch. It's all in fun…except when its not.
Lotamoxie- that was a sweet compliment. They didn't show much of the other xs in the show did they? That was sad, Biggs would have been a great character. Dek and Drew are my faves too.
Suzanne- Yup Jace is BJ's new boss. It's a small world!
Black Rose9- aw if everyone met up it would be the end! This way is fun.
Seorita-DHL- I was without the net for two weeks, I went a little crazy! Uh actually you aren't right, at least not 100.
Mrs- haven't forgotten about her. She will appear in a while though once they crawl out of the wood work.
Angel of darkness231- I was trying not to think of your sore butt—really I was. Everyone seems to think that Zack and Jondy should be together but I'm not so sure.
Guest type person- hey chick, thanks for the email too. Glad you like! Aw I'm sorry you cried and I miss Steve and Mets but life goes on.
Arwen amy- its nice to be back, I have to admit that.
Kim- admittedly yes, it is a lot to pack in but I hope I can do it. she says!!
Elfie- yeah Coco is first to know and she isn't as bothered about finding the others, after all she was more independent. Yep I went to Vegas- well remembered Cookie for you! And yeah the hotel description is from the Luxor- classic hotel. I haven't mentioned the Jonas thing but I assume, since he didn't have to justify himself to Max, that Logan let him get away with it hence the money for Carrot and Tara. Interesting theory on Jace's last name. have to think. She didn't notice about BJ or visa versa simply because they aren't thinking of other X's just yet. Yeah the stuff about Sharks is true and good way of explain8ing things. I'm using the felines as social from Lion DNA, saves time. long review- long response!
Lyndsay- glad that it isn't too confusing then, I was worried that it might be with the skipping about.
Lynn- its okay to like this as much as Mal, I think I do to, since the characters are coming alive even more for me. I love Dek- more Dek, lots more Dek! Yeah Chance's life- not so funny. Poor girl.
Ru- I did promise and I am trying hard to carry on with it. its all fun and games. And yeah Chance and Pix would do the same wouldn't they? Sweet couple. I don't think that Sunny would let Biggs have all the fun—after all she is a Special Ops girl. we know what they are like! Aw my fan! Thank you!