A/N- Author comes out of hiding-have people put away the knives yet? Oh good. Ahem. Well i hope you enjoyed the last installment or at least have calmed down enough not to kill me. 47 reviews
This is somewhat of a bridge chapter bringing things closer togther and explaining things.
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Chapter 12 Feel too much.
The thunderstorm had settled well and Anna pushed herself back into the boughs of the tree, hiding from the thick fat drops of rain. She peered through the leaves at the military base ahead, its presence given away by the small flickers of light from windows and sneaky cigarettes.
Anna grinned as another soldier thought that he could get away with lighting up without giving away his position.
He was wrong.
Anna slipped back down the trunk of the tree and dropped into a crouch, the rain masking her movements. She stood thinking deeply about what she was about to do and the risks that she took and would be taking if she didn't plan this right down to the last—
"Did you see 'em?"
Anna bit back a squeak of surprise as Ralph slid out from behind a tree.
"Anomaly's teeth!" She swore as she swung around.
Ralph gave her an ironic smile. "Jumpy?"
Anna narrowed her eyes. "Shut up."
She pushed by the blonde and made her way back to their mini-camp. At least Ralph hadn't given into abject stupidity and built a fire, not when they were this close to the enemy. Even with the wind direction being for them, they couldn't be too careful.
Anna had no intention of ever being caught out again by that jumped up little upstart and she was eager to put an end to his miserable little life.
She hoisted her rucksack away from the basic camping gear that she had managed to procure during her last stay near civilisation. Three days ago she had finally given into pressure and had taken Ralph into the nearest town to find provisions and to do a check for information.
She had headed to the nearest internet café and done her research on both this area and Ames White. What she had found raised every hackle that she had ever possessed.
He was no one.
He had his basis in letter agencies but no one was sure which one. He had a perfect record and almost puritan background. His references went to the highest authorities and he had top level security clearance.
He had always been the picture perfect soldier without so much as the smallest reprimand and that was enough to raise all the alarms.
No one was that perfect.
Anna had taken her own instinct to heart and had gone to the nearest army surplus store and geared up.
She pulled her bag open and yanked out a long black box.
Ralph pushed her way into the small clearing and sat by her side.
"What's that?" she asked, her teeth chattering with the cold.
"M16A2," Anna said brusquely as she opened the box and showed Ralph the contents. It was a standard rifle and Anna had had to drive a hard bargain with the store owner to get it without a permit.
Ralph looked doubtfully into the box. "I think it's broken."
Anna looked at her in horror. "Didn't you do basic assembly in training?"
"Smaller handguns and weaponry only this far." Ralph shrugged. "I was never very good at weapon class. I did better in life skills and Escape and Evade."
"You're education is sorely lacking." Anna shook her head. "How do you expect to get by if you can't even assemble an M16? I could do this blindfolded by age ten!"
"I was paying attention, but it didn't really stick," she confessed.
Anna's stare was far more than incredulous. How could this child who had been reared in Manticore not even know the basics of how to assemble an assault rifle? It was on level with being taught how to use and knife and fork.
Whilst her association with the blonde pain in her ass hadn't been of many days duration, Anna somehow felt that it was her duty, as surrogate Trainer to instruct this girl…before she got them both killed.
Anna gave her a glare. "Fine, then pay attention. This will mean your life. First you need to insert the spring and buffer here, followed by the extractor and spring, and then push the extractor pin in. Got it?"
"Okay." Ralph leaned forward, eager to be an attentive student.
"Then slide the bolt into the carrier until the bolt cam pinhole in both the bolt carrier and the bolt are aligned, like so."
Anna showed her the tiny metal pieces interlinking and Ralph nodded not mentioning that she wasn't sure of the difference between the two small black pieces of metal. They were small, black and metal-like.
She smiled reassuringly without a hint of her ignorance.
"Got it," she lied.
"Place the bolt cam pin by putting it in the bolt carrier turning it one-quarter turn and drop in the firing pin to seat it. Once you've clocked these two parts together turn it upside down. If it falls out, you've done something wrong."
"Ah," Ralph winced knowingly, that bit she did understand, and Anna hid a grin.
"Then pull the bolt back, place the charging handle by engaging it, then pushing the charging handle part of the way in. These two then go together onto the upper receiver." Anna slammed the top of the gun into the bottom. "Join the two parts; engage the upper pin to secure. Close the receiver groups and seat the takedown pin and that way your gun won't fall to pieces."
Ralph grimaced, indicating that that too had happened to her, although she was no closer to understanding how to prevent it now than she had been when it first happened. At least she knew that Anna wouldn't lock her in Solitary confinement for two days for the act.
"Selector switch, hand guards and strap. Voila: gun." Anna handed the newly assembled rifle over to Ralph who held it gingerly.
"Huh, so, not broken then?" Ralph asked timidly with an uneasy smile.
"No."
Anna stood up, removing a single clip from the box and placing it in her boot. Another went into her shirt pocket and yet another into the hollow at the base of her back.
"So," Ralph beamed a little. "What do we do now?"
"We?" Anna gave a short laugh. "We, meaning you, stay here and keep quiet. We, meaning me, goes out and takes care of my friend, Mr. White."
"I stay here?" Ralph asked in dismay. "But I could help you."
Anna stared at her.
"I could distract."
Anna stared at her.
"I could be back-up."
Anna stared at her.
"Or I could stay here and watch the gear," Ralph sighed despondently.
"Good girl," Anna nodded and slung her gun onto her back.
>>>>
The soft tickle of hair touched her nose and her cheek rubbed against the silky strands as she stretched.
Drew was well aware that once she woke, or at least owned to waking, she had several very difficult choices to make and more than one painful conversation to have. But at this moment she was more concerned with memorizing the scents of the morning; the beautiful smell of the rain drenched plants outside the open bedroom window and the crisp after-storm scent that lingered in the air.
Thunderstorms.
Ben.
Drew sighed and started to wake for real and, of course, being a solider, that meant that she started the day with a full systems check.
Her back felt like one big bruise. Her arms ached and she knew that she at least one fading black eye. Assorted cuts had dried and she knew that concealed blood that had not been washed away by the rain soaked the bed sheets that she was liberally wrapped in. Her legs felt as if she had run a marathon and she was exhausted, to say nothing of the new, rather uncomfortable, ache between her legs.
Pushing that thought firmly aside to deal with at a time when she was less likely to succumb to hysterics, Drew's eyes fluttered open to squint at the bright light that permeated the room.
"I wondered if you'd sleep forever."
Drew started at the deep voice resonating from somewhere near the door.
Her eyes caught sight of Ben's smiling face as he entered the room carrying a black tray.
"Breakfast," he said sheepishly and placed the tray on the top of the bedclothes.
Drew eyed him warily and sat up, well aware that she was naked under the covers. She tucked the sheet under her chin and smoothed back her hair.
She was so uncomfortable with his presence that the tray that he had placed in front of her gained her undivided attention. The plate containing her breakfast held her eyes for longer than was necessary to ensure that it did, indeed, hold scrambled eggs and toast. The orange juice was subject to another intense gaze and only the fact that the small vase held a tall flower kept it from holding her attention.
"G-good," she almost whispered, wondering at once what had happened to the strong, vibrant soldier that she had always been.
Ben's piercing eyes looked down at her with unaccustomed tenderness and he gave her a small smile. "Least I could do."
Drew edged back and tried to forget the way that he had swung her up into his arms and kissed her hard. The adrenaline had coursed through her as her body recalled the heart-pounding race and the inevitable capture. She had been so overwhelmed by her emotions that she had let instinct take over, instinct that told her that he had caught her, that he was the victor and she was to surrender, she was to allow him to touch her. Her mind screamed 'no', rationality screamed 'no', but her body responded like she had been in Heat. She would try to justify it as pity sex, just letting the poor deluded murderer have his comfort—but she knew it was more than that.
She denied the memory of her back scraping against brick as she was pushed against the walls in mindless passion and she attempted to block completely the sensation of him sliding into her and…and…
She ducked her had, her face flaming in humiliation.
"Hey now." Ben moved his hand to cup her face and was more than a little hurt when she flinched away. "Drew?"
"Don't," Drew said, close to losing her temper. She rested her gaze on his faded denim jeans and jacket wondering if these casual clothes were the same ones that he had used to hunt in.
Ben dropped his hand to his side and inclined his head. "Talk to me."
Drew's head snapped up to meet his steady regard. "You have no right to know what I'm thinking, ass."
Ben's lips twitched. "Maybe not, sweetheart, but I think what we did last night means that I should have some say in your welfare."
Drew, once again, found her eggs fascinating.
"What's bothering you?"
What was bothering her? The fact that she had sex with a certified serial killer? The fact that she had kissed a lunatic? The bruises on her ribs were attestation to the fact that she had participated whole-heartedly in her debauchment so it wasn't that.
No, what truly grated was the fact that she had turn-tailed and ran in the first place.
What had happened to the girl who stood up to and for anything that she felt strongly about?
What had happened to the Drew that took no crap from anyone? What had happened to her to make her turn and run at the first sign of trouble? That simply wasn't her style and had never been. She had never backed down, she had never fled and she had never turned her back on an enemy.
That was what bothered her.
As a transgenic bought up in Manticore she didn't really have a huge issue with morality and knew that more than one of her fellow soldiers had taken part in licentious acts, even before the enforced breeding. She, herself, had indulged in a few kisses with Mets before her attention had been taken over by Dek.
No, what bothered her was her lack of strength. For a soldier, for a woman of her level of independence, it smacked too loudly of cowardice for her to feel comfortable with it and she was ashamed of herself.
Soldiers did not run.
"Tell me!" Ben all but growled.
"I'm not afraid of you," Drew snapped. "Don't think for one second that you scare me at all."
Ben gaped. "I know that."
"Do you?" she snarled. "I bet you were just dancing in glee when I ran, another willing victim, Ben? Turned you on, did it?"
Ben frowned and moved the tray away, sitting quickly by her side again.
"Drew, what is this?"
Drew refused to look at him. She turned her head away and stared determinedly at the sheets.
"Drew?" His voice was pleading. "Come on, baby, talk to me."
"Not your baby," she said petulantly and immediately felt stupid.
Ben's lips twitched. "Sorry."
There was silence for a moment.
"I ran," she said in disgust. "I'm second only to Max and when faced with the enemy I ran."
"Ah." Ben understood.
"No," Drew's voice was choked, "Not ah! I'm Drew for hells sake, X5-633. I've never backed down from anything in my life!" She turned abruptly to him. "You know when I was five years old I challenged one of the anomalies to hand to hand? When I was six I climbed hand over fist to the roof of Seattle's tallest tower without a harness. When I was eight I took on a Trainer. I don't run away. Ever!"
Ben calmly sat back as he watched unbidden tears glinting in her eyes. She really was distraught by her behaviour and he wasn't sure what to say. He had never been anyone's confidant before and had less than no experience at making people feel better.
Drew looked miserable and stabbed at her breakfast in a lacklustre manner that was at odds with the spitfire he had come to know in the past few weeks.
He bit his lip and looked at the girl that lay in his bed. She was battered and bruised, her lip edged with dried blood, her eye was puffy and yellow and her hair looked like she had been dragged through a hedge backwards; she was the most beautiful creature that he had ever seen.
"Drew," he began and stopped.
"Hmm?" she sniffed angrily, feeling ridiculously disappointed at herself.
"When I first saw you, you were barely able to walk. You told me yourself that your spine had almost been crushed to pieces in the fire. You had damaged neurons and spinal cord from being thrown against the wall. Third degree burns all over, no matter how you tried to hide it," he admonished. "You only had a few days to recover, you said, before coming to Seattle. Odds are that you are not healed completely yet."
Drew's eyes narrowed. "If you are trying to make me feel better, you're failing!" She had hoped to hide how weak she was still feeling. The truth was that she hadn't been herself ever since she left Ed's. Near-death tended to do that for you.
"What were we always told was stronger than ourselves?"
"Pix's crazy glue," she said immediately.
Ben's forehead creased in confusion. "Pix?"
Drew waved that away. "Stronger than us? Not much."
"Instinct," Ben informed her. "Instinct is stronger than we are. Self-preservation, especially. Whilst you were ready to face me and fight, your body knew that it wasn't ready for it. You didn't run, Drew. Your body did."
Drew brushed her hair away from her face and thought about that. No, he couldn't be right. She would never run away.
As she turned the corner there was another explosion and the hall shook with the force, cracks appearing in the walls and ceiling. The pipes that ran along the ceiling snapped with an ear-splitting screech and hissing steam suddenly filled the whole hallway making it impossible to see as the boiling vapour stung her eyes. She spun and fought her way blindly towards the fire-exit, blinking to dispel the tears of pain that slid down her cheeks, and sprinted down the stairs towards the lower ground floor.
No way was she afraid of him and her body was her own. She controlled her actions and reactions.
Drew tried to move, looking up to see a huge boulder of stone heading her way. Unable to dodge or crawl due to her spinning head Drew could only curl into a ball as it hit and sent her plummeting into blackness.
Drew had always been able to take of herself.
Taking a deep breath and concentrating on staying conscious Drew grabbed hold of the stairs railing and slowly, so slowly started to descend the staircase.
Her body was under her control and wouldn't desert her when she needed it. Instinct was not that powerful. Not even when she was close to dying had she… did she…
As she stood, as shakily as a newborn colt, she forced herself to move, each step a calculated effort. It was taking everything she had not to just sit down and sleep.
Drew's eyes widened. She hadn't wanted to move, she had wanted to lie down and sleep. She hadn't cared about living at that point but her body dragged her onwards. It wasn't even a conscious thought. She just gave over to the soldier.
Was that instinct?
Max had once told her that when she was in Psy Ops she had regressed to 452 instead of "Max" to help her get through and Drew had taken that to heart.
At the point when 'C' block exploded she had let everything go except the soldier, who was only aware that she had to get out, had to go on, had to live.
Was 633 just another name for instinct?
Drew bit her lip. That meant that there was a part of her who actually had the sense to know when to say 'no more'.
She wasn't sure what she felt about that; all she knew was that she wasn't a coward and that made her feel more like herself. Any other information could wait to be assimilated until after she had eaten.
"You okay?"
She raised an imperious eyebrow at that. "I'm not about to cry if that's what worrying you."
Ben's face split into a huge grin. "There's my girl."
"Dek's girl," she corrected as she sipped her juice. "That doesn't change just because we had sex."
"You sure 'bout that?" he posed in good humour.
"100," she said, certainly. "You and me we're—"
"Propinquity?" he asked playfully. "Proximity? Convenience?"
"All of the above."
Ben nodded and grinned devilishly. "I can live with that."
Drew grabbed his collar and pulled him close. "What made you think you had a choice?"
She pushed the breakfast tray onto the floor and silenced him with her lips.
>>>>
Had the coffee ring on the table been animate it would have felt the full effects of the Pix glare and cringed as it hid from the usually playful man's wrath. As it was Pix's ire was wasted on the stain and he was more than irritated by the fact.
"Nothing 'round here has any Renfro-damned respect."
"Well if you insist on talking to tables…" Chance trailed off and tried to avoid his mutinous pout.
"Fine, you turn against me, too," he muttered. "See if I care, I don't care ya know. I really have no idea why I started this stupid thing in the first place, I'm sure even the janitor would be far more qualified than me, after all I'm just the joker. But I don't care, see if I care because I don't, you know!"
Chance placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles and walked up behind her love wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head on his back. "Pix?"
"Sorry, my angel," he said letting his hands rest on hers across his chest. He sighed deeply, knowing that he couldn't take his ill humour out on Chance— she didn't deserve it.
Since being back in Terminal City and with Feen and Techie, Chance had really returned to the way she had been before they left Manticore. There was still something of a sweet sadness about her which Pix attributed to missing her brother and the rest of her unit, but in essentials she was back to his little Chance.
She no longer got up and cried at night and neither did she sit for hours staring at the walls like a mannequin.
It made a welcome change for him and he now had time to worry about other things.
He turned in her embrace and wrapped his arms around her, letting his chin rest against her dark tresses. He kissed the soft strands and knew the peace that only came from having her in his arms.
"My angel," he breathed and felt her shiver slightly.
"I love you," she muttered into his chest and Pix felt a swelling in his heart.
"What's worrying you?" Chance asked as she glanced up at him.
"Nothing," he replied without even thinking and her face fell a little.
"You can confide in me, ya know," she said somewhat sadly.
"I know that." Pix hugged her closer but knew that he wouldn't answer her.
Somehow it had always been part of his nature in his dealings with Chance to always be the tough one, the one who was in control and he had kept that idea from his first dealings with her.
He could still see her in his minds eye; lying flat on her back, looking up at him from behind a curtain of hair, wondering if this stranger was going to berate her for bumping into him.
She had needed to be loved and protected back then, allowed to grow into a woman in her own time but at the same time, to be shielded from as much hurt as he could deflect. Chance was his own little angel, a blessing whenever he thought about her and he would move heaven, earth and Manticore itself to keep her happy and safe.
If that meant shielding her from some of the more… unpleasant aspects of his character and psyche then so be it.
"I was restless last night," he lied. "Too much too fast and didn't want to wake you."
Chance stepped out of his embrace and regarded him thoughtfully.
"I'm not a child, Pix. I can be trusted with your thoughts, it's not like I'd suddenly run to Feen."
"I know."
"Do you?" Chance said softly. "You once told Biggs that he never bothered to look at me, to see the real me. He didn't realise that I had changed and I'm beginning to wonder if you have either."
"I have," he said flatly. "You are a beautiful woman, Chance. You have grown up a lot."
"So trust me," she begged, "talk to me, I might be able to help."
Pix bit his lip.
In Wyoming he had been the pariah of his unit, he was too flighty and enjoyed practical jokes too much. He loved getting the better of the Trainers and that leant him to getting into trouble as they attempted to break his spirit. His unit refused to participate and any attempts at holding someone in his confidence usually ended with them turning him in.
He had learned at a very young age not to trust his Trainers, his superiors or his unit. That had passed somewhat when he left for Seattle and found those who felt the same, held the same ideals and accepted him.
But in amongst all of that he was aware that there was only one person who had been through as much, if not more, than he had and who would understand the underlying fears and insecurities that came from never fitting in, from being punished for every real or imagined infraction and who had been the scapegoat for everyone else's frustrations.
That was Max.
Max was the only one who he knew woke up in the middle of the night sweating with memories of endless weeks in Solitary confinement or plunged in the Tank until they were sure that their lungs would burst. She was the only one that he knew had been placed in what the Trainer's had affectionately named "The Iron Maiden"; a device based on medieval torture on which a subject was excepted to stand in a long metal box with nails and spikes protruding from the door and walls, so that it was impossible to slouch or lean, for days.
How could he tell a sweet girl who was afraid of the dark that he still had nightmares of falling asleep on a spike and waking up with his pinning him to the wall? How could he tell this sweet creature with doe eyes that he had been tied to concrete blocks and thrown in a river?
Max had been there, she knew what life was like back then. She also would understand the fact that, despite Training to make them the best of the best, the memories of being constantly bombarded with people telling them that they were 'worthless, dispensable, useless, pathetic, insignificant creatures' had left their mark.
How could he lead a nation when he could hear Trainer McCarthy's voice telling him that he'd never amount to anything? How could he form a training program when he could fell the kick from a heavy boot proclaiming that he had all the organizational skills of an amoeba?
And how could he tell Chance all about his fear and insecurities when all he wanted to do was protect her from them?
Chance was still waiting for a reply and Pix merely shrugged. "There is nothing to help, sweetheart."
Chance sagged temporarily defeated. "All right, Pix, you win this time. But if you loved me, truly loved me, you'd trust me. I can help you."
Chance leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you."
Pix smiled distractedly at her.
"There is a new band of Xs just showed up, mostly kids. I'll house them over in Churchgate Street."
"Okay," Pix nodded.
"One wants to talk to you."
Chance walked away and quietly pulled the door to, calling out to someone to come over.
Pix watched her go with a heavy heart, knowing full well that his inability to tell her what was wrong had hurt her, but not knowing how to salvage things without letting her know what it was that bothering him.
If he couldn't keep it together for his girlfriend then what use was he?
How could he protect a nation if he couldn't protect Chance?
Damn.
He banged his fist on the table. Who was he kidding? What possible use could he be here? Who had he ever been able to protect and make feel better?
He was good for nothing.
Pix raked a frustrated hand through his hair.
"'Scuse me?"
Pix glanced around… and down to see a small, grubby X-series stare up at him with wide eyes, his hands clutching a small bugle horn.
"Hi," his voice was far calmer than his state of mind.
The boy bit his trembling lip and Pix felt uneasy.
"You okay, kid?"
The boy nodded fervently and then seemed to gather all his courage together. "Are you really him?"
Pix blinked. "Him who?"
"The Joker-man?" The boy held his bugle tighter in his arms, like a teddy-bear.
"Joker man?"
The boy nodded again. "You made the water pink and set fireworks off."
Ah. "Yeah, that was me."
Great credentials, Pix, he thought. You made the water pink.
"Wow," the boy gave a small smile. "When I was in Solitary I was so scared of the dark and… and…and then there were lights in the sky and it was so pretty and I wasn't a'scared anymore. The one time I was being disciplined for 'n 'fraction and you made something 'splode and the Trainer forgot to hit me."
Pix gave him a small smile. "Really?"
"I watched for you," the boy stammered out. "You always made me and my unit laugh and it…it made it all better. When I was scared I always thought 'what would the Joker-man do?' and… it stopped me crying."
"I did?" Pix asked hesitantly.
"Uh huh," he enthused. "When the big fire came, I went to find you."
"Me?"
"I…I found something," the boy looked very nervous and fished in his filthy pockets for something.
"What is it?" Pix asked curiously.
"This."
The boy held out a small black object, badly burned and Pix took it, turning it over in his hands. It was no bigger than the palm of his hands and had a familiar weight.
Pix's eyes widened as he took in the charred edges, curling pages and small monograph "PM" on one corner.
"Pix's mischief," he whispered and opened the little black book filled with his scrawled handwriting detailing his every misdemeanour.
It was lost in the fire and he had never thought to see it again. It was almost like seeing a piece of his soul back again.
"Where did you get this?"
"It was in the rubble," the boy rubbed his nose, smearing soot onto his cheeks. "I wanted to give it back if I ever saw you again, sir."
"Pix," Pix corrected and he pulled the child to him and erased the smudge on his face with his sleeve edge. "There. My name is Pix, not sir. Thank you for this."
The boy fairly beamed at the attention from his idol. "M-my name is Bugler, sir… Pix. I'm so happy that you are in charge, I know you'll take care of us," he sounded so sure that Pix almost felt humbled.
"Thank you, Bugler," Pix rubbed the soft charred leather with his fingers feeling more comforted than he could remember in months.
I can do this, he thought. This child believes in me, he thinks I can do this. I can't let them down, I will succeed…at least until Max arrives.
"Maybe you should get something to eat, Bugler."
"Okay," the boy turned and headed for the door. Before he opened it he turned back.
"Mr Pix, sir?"
"Yeah."
Bugler shifted from foot to soot before answering. "When I grow up, I want to be just like you."
With that he shut the door behind him leaving Pix with a pleasantly shell-shocked expression on his face.
>>>>
Skye walked into the dining room, seeing Flex with his feet up on the table, his toes poking through holes in his socks.
She smiled at the image of the tough genetically modified soldier with tatty clothes and an open newspaper snoring gently.
She crept into the room and sat on the edge of the chair, feeling a wave of tenderness as she watched his sleep.
It was hard to believe that it had been less than eight months ago that they had been prisoner in Manticore, forced to cohabitate but discouraged in relationships.
She leant over and planted a kiss on his nose.
Flex smiled sleepily. "Hey," he breathed.
"Hey. You tired, sugar?"
"Mm," he mumbled. "Worked flat out at the construction site."
"What, tough transgenic can't handle a days work?" Skye teased and Flex opened one eye.
"I'm doing the job of three men right now as well as trying to keep the fact hidden, remember my lies and… I'm doing paperwork too, you know how I hate that."
"Why paperwork?" Skye remembered how Flex used to moan that he was good at flexing every muscle but the one between his ears.
Flex bit his lip, as if he thought she'd laugh. "I want to be a good all rounder… Mike is talking about promotion."
"That's great," Skye enthused and, because she couldn't help herself, kissed him again.
Flex grinned, relieved that she wouldn't ridicule him for wanting what others had. "And here I thought the stud of Manticore was losing his hunk status."
"Hardly." She eyed his muscles. "Although if I find another woman touching you, you'd lose far more than that."
"Why would I want another?" he asked and pulled her into his lap, peppering kisses up and down her collar.
Skye squirmed for a moment and then gave in to the delicious sensations that coursed up and down her spine.
Suddenly she remembered why she had come in to find him. "Flex, honey, have you seen Galen?"
Flex sagged. "Damn, there goes hunk status. I can't even keep my girl interested!"
Skye giggled. "Idiot," she said affectionately, "Any more interested and the Greeks will have something more interesting to watch than the Discovery channel when they come in."
"You do know why Isacar watches that, right?"
Skye slapped the back of his head. "Galen?"
"I think the Greeks took him out to the shed to play." Flex grinned as he ran his fingers up her arm until she slapped him away.
Skye blinked in surprise as his words penetrated. "They included Galen?"
Flex shrugged and stretched. "Yeah, so he's fine. As long as they aren't playing those games that Unit 6 played with Max." he was only teasing but as the words came out they both froze.
"They wouldn't," Skye said airily, "Would they?"
They looked at each other and then, as one, stood and walked out of the house.
During one weekend Flex had built the kids a large shed at one end of the garden so that they could have some private time if they needed it. It was next to the Jungle gym that Zephyr had begged for and the mini pool that Icarus claimed was essential, past the wildlife pond that Isacar spent hours studying and through the swinging hammock where Nyx did her homework.
They crept up to the shed and pushed open the door and peered inside.
Icarus was sat on one side, with a large smile on her face. Nyx was stood in front of the other three with her hands on her hips.
Skye frowned as she looked at Isacar, Zeph and Galen stood with their fingers touching their noses.
She looked up at Flex who was as confused as she was, he shrugged.
"Okay," Nyx said. "452 says hop on one leg."
All three boys suddenly hopped on one leg.
"452 says rub your stomach with the other hand."
With one finger touching their nose, hopping on one leg each boy began rubbing his belly.
"452 says turn around."
They spun.
"Put down your foot."
Zeph let his foot touch the floor and immediately groaned as he realised what he had done.
"Ha, ha, 452 didn't say!" Icarus crowed. "You're out Zeph."
"Damnation!" he cursed and sat against the wall with Icarus. She tucked her arm around him and he nestled in.
"452 says stand still and put your foot down," Nyx continued and waited until Galen and Isacar stood still. "452 says bend over and wiggle your butt!"
"Oh, the humiliation," Isacar moaned and, to Skye's delight, Galen giggled.
"Come on, cutie!" Nyx ordered with glee in her voice.
"Did the Trainers ever tell you that you a mean streak?" Isacar complained as he turned and bent over.
"452 says wave your hands in the air."
"From down here?" Isacar said incredulously and Galen almost fell over, he giggled so hard.
"452 says stand straight and… scratch like a monkey."
"452 was a sadist," Isacar said confidently.
"452 says tap your elbow, touch your nose, kick one foot, drop into third formation and do a back flip," Nyx said sweetly.
Isacar blinked. "Say what?"
Galen tapped his elbow, touched his little nose, kicked out and started the third formation drill whilst Isacar stood there mutinously.
Nyx raised an eyebrow and he frowned.
"I'll get you for this."
"Yeah, you and whose transgenic army?"
"ME!" Zeph laughed out loud as Isacar did the exercise with bad grace.
"452 says bounce on one foot."
Galen and Isacar jumped. "452 had far too much energy."
"494 says stop."
Isacar stopped and sighed, "Thank Renfro, I was feeling sea-sick."
He suddenly realised that Galen was still bouncing and he mentally replayed her command.
"Oh…Anomaly poo!"
Nyx beamed. "Gee, some people will take orders from anyone!"
"494 was in command as well," Isacar pouted.
"Okay, stop bouncing," Nyx said to Galen, "you won!"
The little boy carried on bouncing.
"452 says stop, game over!"
Galen stopped and looked up expectantly. Isacar suddenly picked him up and swung him onto his shoulders.
"Galen is the winner!"
"Go Galen!"
"Yay Galen!"
Skye pulled Flex away from the door and they made their way back into the house, not daring to look at each other until they were safely in the house.
Once the door was shut they both gave way to the hysterics that had threatened whilst watching the children's game.
Flex sagged onto the sofa, tears of laughter in his eyes as Skye pressed herself against the wall, her shoulders shaking.
"Oh God!" she laughed. "How cute!"
"I don't think that any of us followed Max's commands like that!" Flex responded, wiping his eyes.
"Yes, but I don't recall Max ever telling us to bend over and wriggle."
"Not you maybe." Flex waggled his eyebrows and was hit in the face by a cushion.
"Jerk."
They were silent for a moment before Flex spoke up. "Skye?"
"What?"
"The kids will probably be over there for some time."
"Hmm?" she bit her lip seductively.
"452 says come over here and kiss me."
>>>>
The blond man paced backwards and forwards in the bathroom, his hair flopping into his eyes. He flicked the over-long fringe away and clenched his fists, once, twice and again, trying to get feeling back into the palms of his hands.
It was cowardly to hide away like this in the bathroom when there was a beautiful woman waiting in the other room for him.
He sank back against the pristine white sink and glared at the bathroom door as if it were at fault for his current situation.
Should he? Or should he wait?
What was the worse that could happen?
She could say no.
He raked his had through his hair again and then immediately jumped up to check his reflection in the mirror again.
Just as he suspected, his hair was a mess.
Flattening the unruly strands down took up more valuable seconds and enabled him to breathe more deeply as the habitual action required very little actual thought.
He could do this.
There was a faint knocking on the door.
"Babe, are you okay in there?"
"Out in a second," he called and winced at his own inanity. Perhaps he should stay in here forever; he could make the towels into a make-shift tent and could, perhaps, learn to enjoy the taste of soap.
Stay and not ask.
Ask.
Not ask.
Shit.
He took a deep breath and unlocked the door, stepping into the hallway and through to the kitchen, almost counting his steps and he went.
He glanced up and there she was standing by the stove, pouring the last of the wine into two glasses.
She glanced over her shoulder as she heard him, her eyes dark and delicious and so very welcoming.
"Dinner was great." Her voice was a purr.
"Yeah." He had no idea what he had actually eaten, it could have been cardboard for all he was aware.
She turned around and folded her arms over her chest looking at him with an amused expression. "Sweetheart, you have been acting weird all day."
He swallowed and nodded.
Her expression fell slightly. "Is there a problem?"
He shook his head.
"Are we playing charades?"
He shook his head again and attempted to clear his throat. "I…uh… you…see."
"Feeling laconic?" A slow smile curved her lips and she flicked her black tresses over her shoulder, letting the raven locks blend with the midnight velvet of her little black dress.
His eyes followed the lines of her caramel skin down her slender legs and back up to her amused gaze. He stepped forwards and stopped again.
She giggled, a wholly unusual sound to pass her lips. "What is with you tonight?"
He took a deeper breath and let his hands fall to his pockets pulling out a small box.
"C—" he cleared his throat again. "Coco? W-w-will you marry me?"
Coco's jaw dropped as Jason pulled out the small inoffensive box and its myriads of complications.
"Jason?"
The man looked down at the unopened box and frowned to himself. "See, I had this all worked out. I'd make us dinner and I'd be witty and charming all the way through and we'd dance and then I'd go down on one knee. I'd ask, you'd say yes; happily ever after." He gave a short laugh. "Dumb huh?"
Coco swallowed. That sounded like the most ridiculous, trite, wonderful, delightfully exquisite, perfect proposal she had ever heard.
But could she accept it?
Love, marriage, children.
A year ago she would have scoffed at the notion, but that was before Jason.
These past few months with Jason had been the happiest of her life. He made her feel beautiful, he made her feel special but most of all he made her feel normal.
It felt like a wonderful dream and one that she didn't want to wake up from.
But under the dream she had remember that she was still, at heart, a soldier. Could she risk a civilian in her dangerous life or would she be willing to give it all up for him, for love?
Coco had been aware for sometime that she would need to look for her fellow soldiers one day and had been putting it off for longer and longer as she tried to cling to the life that she had fashioned here with Jason. It wasn't that she particularly missed them, with the possible exception of Anna and Steve, who she had always got along with. It was more of a sense of duty and knowing that she owed Max and Tara the courtesy to at least tell them that she was okay and not in danger or dead.
Other than that, did she really want to go back to a soldier's way of life? Did she want to spend her existence covered in mud and worse, knowing the precise scent of blood and stages of death? Or would she rather have a warm body in her bed and children… if she could even have them, with Jason?
The object of her thoughts shifted from foot to foot. "Uh, long silence, doesn't bode well."
He was adorable when he was nervous. Refusing him would be like kicking a puppy. Besides if she refused him would she have to leave?
The thought hit her with all of the weight of a freight train. Leave him? Never see him again?
Impossible. Somehow Jason had become as important to her as breathing and there was no way that she would leave him.
Coco's lips curved. "Jason, I—"
"You don't have to say yes," he held out his hands as if to ward off rejection. "I mean, if you weren't ready or… or you needed a place to crash, or if you don't feel the same way, or…or… need time? I could…I do—"
He was cut off as Coco started forward and lay her finger over his lips.
"Shh," she soothed. "Yes."
There was silence for a moment.
"Yes?" he croaked.
"Yes."
He looked at her as of she were playing a joke on him. "Yes, you need time, or yes, you'll marry me."
"I'll marry you."
"Oh," he sighed and expelled his held breath in a big rush. Coco could not help but laugh as he sagged.
She grabbed hold of his collar and pulled him in for a deep, penetrating kiss.
He tangled his hands in her hair and she felt herself slide neatly into his arms.
After a minute he pulled back. "Really?"
"Shut up," she snarled playfully as she tugged him towards the bedroom.
>>>>
The shift seemed never-ending to Sunny as she completed her sixtieth prowl around the crammed Casino floor. She had been on for a straight nine hour shift and she was about a hairsbreadth away from committing some atrocious act of malicious, premeditated violence against the very next person stupid enough to attempt to fleece the casino.
It wasn't as if the casino hadn't gained the reputation of being the best secured and the most monitored since she and Biggs had arrived. It had. And it wasn't as if almost 100 of crimes committed hadn't been caught. The point was that most considered this a challenge and they tried even harder to fleece the system.
Sunny was sick of pinch-pennies and losers, sleeve-cheats and rakes, gamers and hustlers. For once she'd like to meet a thief who was too good to be caught.
Of course, she thought, if he was too good to be caught, then she wouldn't meet him.
Unlike those idiots over there who sat close and whispered to each other, looking fervently around the room.
Sunny sighed and walked over, pretending an interest in the wall sconces.
She sat on the stool behind them with her back to them, watching them in the mirror.
The two men were of non-descript appearance, seeming to blend into the crowd with their normalcy. She could almost feel her eyes sliding off them as if she were predisposed to ignore them. Forcing her attention back to them she focused on the bald-headed one and his hissed words.
"—seriously, it's like nothing on earth."
"Are you sure it's safe?" the other asked almost desperately.
"Would it matter?" The bald one said.
Drugs, Sunny thought in disgust.
"How did you discover it?"
"Word of mouth, friend."
Sure, Sunny watched their hands carefully. As soon as she saw any sign of passing packages, she'd act.
"Are all the rumours true?"
"You walk with your own," his voice was deep as if describing perfection, "Its like nothing I can describe, you are free. It's the ultimate freedom."
"Have you—"
The bald man nodded emphatically. "I have seen it, I have been there."
"I'll do it," the other man nodded.
"Okay, here ya go."
Sunny sat up as the bald man dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out something small, square and white. He handed it to the darker man and Sunny leapt into action, swirling around on her chair and grabbing the hand that started to place the item in his pocket.
"Now, now, boys there are far safer places to pass than in the middle of one of the strictest security casinos in town."
The two men gaped at her. "You can see us?"
"Of course I can!" she said in distaste. "It's my job to keep an eye on a low-life like yourself."
The two men just ducked their heads, the dark haired man not even attempting to pull his hand away and Sunny flipped his wrist over.
"Now exactly what have we here? Crack, heroine, stars and flusters or some new… paper?" Sunny blinked at the small square of paper that she now held in her hand.
"Betting slip," the bald headed man said quickly.
"Shut up," Sunny said as she opened it.
946
Terminal City. Seattle.
"946," she whispered. "What is this? What's this address?"
The two men exchanged scared glances.
"Let go!" hissed the dark haired man, as if suddenly afraid and, to Sunny's amazement started to fade out of existence.
Without a care, she twisted the wrist in her grasp and knocked his elbow backwards, letting go of the sheaf of paper and grabbing the thick dark hair. Flipping him over, she wrenched his collar down and found what she had been looking for.
A barcode.
"Camouflage team," she whispered.
The bald man, who had been ready to bolt, stared at her.
"How did you know that?"
Sunny found herself grinning as let go of the dark-haired man. "X5-521 at your service."
"X-series?" The bald man gaped. "Here?"
Sunny grabbed the paper off the floor. "What is this? I know the code."
"It's the code we use to let each other know that the information is legitimate; from Manticore's own."
"What's Terminal City?" she asked.
"It's a place deep in the heart of Seattle. It used to be a chemical testing ground, or so the rumours go. The thing is there was a chemical leakage and no human can survive there. It's become ground zero for Manticore alumni. Freaks, geeks, anomalies, X's, all there living in peace."
"Sounds like a crock." Sunny so wanted to believe in what he was saying but it didn't seem possible.
"No word of a lie," he assured her. "I went there myself, after hearing about it from a missi."
"Missi?"
"That's what we called the genetic mistakes; you know, those too far gone to be freaks."
Sunny nodded. She was well aware that there has been a hierarchy or sorts, even within the basement of Manticore. Freaks were those whose DNA had come out somewhat wonky; those with canine, feline or mammalian features that would have made them outcasts in the real world. Geeks were those whose DNA had been tampered with to elicit different skills but hadn't quite worked; some disappearing at random, some changing colour, they could still go into society but had to be careful.
Then there were anomalies, or missis- mistakes; those whose physical deformities were such that they had no chance of fitting into society at all.
"So?" she prompted.
"It's like heaven," he grinned, showing razor sharp teeth. "Everyone walks equal. You can see Freaks talking with Xs and Geeks lunching down with missis. Food is scarce, but people share. The buildings are kinda run down but there's plenty of room."
"How many Xs?" Sunny asked quickly. She could see Biggs over by the water cooler trailing a suspected hustler, she wanted to share this with him.
"Couple, more arrive every day as word gets around. I'm telling you the place is kosher. Free to come and go as you will. The current leader set up a small team of us to go and tell those who might be in dire straights to come."
"Leader?" Sunny's attention was caught. "Who?"
"Some X-series, I think he was a member of the Elite, but I can't recall."
"Elite?"
"You know, Spec Ops."
Sunny beamed at him. "Thank you."
He blinked. "You seem like you got a sweet set-up here, girl, are you sure you want to leave. Terminal City is all right for those of us who have no choice but you… you seem to have got it made here."
"Money, clean sheet," Sunny nodded. "But not family."
Bald-man grinned. "I hear ya, I'm headed back today. You wanna come with me?"
"No," Sunny shook her head. "Me and mine have to make arrangements first. We'll be there though." She considered for a second and then tucked her hand into her pocket and pulled out a wallet. "There's roughly a hundred large here, confiscated it from a guy on the take over at the Roulette tables, I want you to buy food and take it back to Terminal City."
The bald man gaped. "A hundred grand, you trust me with this? I'm a Freak."
"You're Manticore which means that you know that, should you run, I will find you. I'm Spec Ops too and you cannot escape me." Her voice was low and fierce and he nodded.
"I won't let you down, ma'am."
"Good, what's your name?"
"Don't have one as yet."
Sunny grimaced at the tiny sharp teeth. "I'm calling you Razor."
"I like it."
"Razor, get out of here." He nodded and was gone just as Biggs came over.
"Hey, babe, ready for some food? It's been a hell of a shift; I must have cracked at least twelve asses trying to pull something." His voice trailed off as he noticed Sunny's preoccupation with something. "Sunny?"
She looked up at him. "Biggs, we're going on vacation."
He blinked. "We are?"
Sunny grabbed his jacket. "We're going to see the boss, right now."
Biggs knew it was pointless to argue over this and he sighed as he allowed himself to be pulled. "Can't I eat first?"
>>>>
The tears fell fast and furiously and she made no move to wipe them away.
"And I said I'd never leave you!"
"And you never will," he vowed stalwartly, his voice barely heard over the tears. "But I've got a job to do too. Where I'm going you can't follow. What I've got to do you can't be any part of."
His next words were muffled by a sob.
"Someday you'll understand that."
"Oh God!" she cried, dropping her head into her hands.
"Here's looking at you, kid."
And that was all it took for Joshua to burst into howls of tears and bury his head into Cece's shoulder, the popcorn all but abandoned on the floor next to the old television set.
Cece sniffed and wiped her nose on the back of her sleeve as she turned back to the picture.
"She's leaving!" she moaned as Humphrey Bogart ducked his head.
"Noo," Joshua sobbed, taking huge breaths. "Why?"
Cece shrugged, tearing her tissue into shreds that danced to the floor like damp snowflakes.
"Noble," she managed, "He's a hero."
"Ye-e-s," Joshua howled.
"I want one!" Cece snivelled. "My baby needs a heroic father."
"Joshua want one too!" he sniffed. "Father!"
They looked at the screen as Bogart nodded. "This could be the start of a beautiful friendship."
Cece looked at Joshua and he returned the gaze in full measure before bursting into tears again.
Cece followed quickly, falling into his arms in a sobbing heap.
The movie credits played on whilst the two new friends on the sofa cried heartily.
Tara put her hand over her mouth and darted back into the kitchen, muffling sounds of laughter.
"She's pregnant," Carrot said bemused as he watched from the kitchen doorway. "What's his excuse?"
>>>>
The afternoon sun was starting to sink into the clouds, ready to make its final ascent. Thankfully that meant that the intense heat that had punctuated the day was easing into light warmth that left everyone feeling quite lethargic.
Flex who has sweated his heart out working at the construction site lay comfortably on the front porch swing, sipping a beer with his arm around Skye who lay against him, lazily swinging a leg over the arm of the swing.
He grinned and kissed the top of her head as she yawned.
"Long day?" he asked and she nodded.
"Hmm, took Icarus shopping. Damn that girl reminds me of Sunny so much its scary."
"Shopoholic?"
"Yeah."
Flex lifted his head and sniffed the air letting his stomach grumble at the smell that drifted from the kitchen where Icarus was busy cooking. "She can max out my cards as long as she cooks like that."
Skye chuckled against his chest. "Men, so easily pleased."
"Thankfully," he muttered and avoided the elbow in his ribs as she heard that.
He looked out at the garden and felt an odd swelling inside as he surveyed the occupants.
Galen was hanging upside down on the jungle gym, his little legs hooked over the top-most bar as he swung back and forth enjoying himself silently. Both Skye and Flex were pleased that he was coming out of his shell somewhat.
Nyx lay in her hammock on one side of the garden, lazily indulging in on of her favourite past-times, which was correcting her school text books. As Flex peered over he could see that she busy amending Darwin and scribbling sketches of Galen in the margins, admonishing him when he moved too quickly.
Isacar sat with Zeph on his left, reading aloud and pointing out mistakes, cultural differences, correcting grammar and generally initiating the six year old on the ramifications of Shakespearean ideology on modern day school children. Zephyr nodded sagely, ignoring his own book, a treatise on French Occupation during the 19th century, in favour of listening to his older 'brother'.
Flex sighed and wondered at the odd emotion tightening his chest as he looked at his family.
He felt… full.
Content.
Happy.
He allowed himself a smile and tugged Skye closer. "Skye, can you think of what we would have said a year ago if we could see us now?"
"I would have had myself committed," she laughed, "Or booked in for a long stay in Psy Ops."
"But now?" Flex sipped his beer and lay his cheek over her head.
"Now I couldn't imagine life any other way."
"Yeah," he agreed.
"You think this is what normality is?" she asked curiously.
Flex looked at the sixteen year old correcting the theory of evolution; the thirteen year old discussing King Lear with a nine year old and the six year old with post traumatic stress happily poking a butterfly.
"It may not be normality," he said contentedly, "but it certainly is perfection."
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Geminangel- Cheers pet, its nice to find someone waiting patiently!
Crazy- Vampire Slayer- Uberfun? Ooh I like that. I think Pix got his wish here, he is so cute! More Anna/Ralph in the next part.
Aleclovemax- did I not mention that I have no idea what these kids are up to?
Elle6778- If Pix doesn't crack under the pressure then I sure as hell am! I have no idea where this is going btw! LOL, lets have scary poll- who scare you more, Ben or Anna? The UST has been R. Glad you like the site!
Ronda TIW- As far as I am concerned there is one man for Drew. That's all I'm saying at this point
Mely- Eerie, okay I get that. Have I ever let you down before? Trust me.
Moonlite star- Cheers pet, glad you like. The next chapter has a very long Anna/Ralph part, they do need screen time. Glad you love the Drew/Ben part. That was the scene I had in mind for ages. It was almost preordained. Greeks are cuteness itself.
Angel of Darkness231- One word- Thanks. Not heat so much as animal instinct—would you need an excuse to kiss Ben?
Fangedangel- Hence the title- dark sarcasm. It was the Ben scene that was in my head, their meeting was like a mini movie and yes it was dark. I don't think it could have been played any other way.
Chaosti- Hey pet, wondered where you had been! LOL, twist slammed? Cool. It was slightly left fieldish wasn't it? Anna and Ralph are starting to grow on me big time- it's like a Xena and Gabrielle deal without the sexual undertone. LOL, naked Flex? Okay then. Your wish and all that. Ahh now you asked that I will have to have something go wrong in TC- see what happens when reviewers ask silly questions?
Pookie vampires- lovely name, pet! I wont hurt you since you sent such a sweet review- many thanks. If you review I'll try to update faster. Promise. Yay ooh pretty awards- many thanks pet, that's a lovely thing to say. As for Drew/Ben- your wish is my command.
Kelzaa- LOL, I'm back! Thanks for reviewing and I think Drew has other things on her mind at the minute than the call.. but I wouldn't put it past her.
Shyleigh3- I made you speechless? Yay me!
Nevanroy- I'd happily swop bad/good for a WOW any day. Gracias. I'll try to not leave you too long again.
Ganko- I must feed my addicts! I must deal to my addicts. Here's more to keep you going. The greeks are easy to write, they just seem to flow, I love them! Thank you for the praise. I think Dark Ben is eerily good. You had goosebumps? YAY!
Gamegirl452- Cheating is such a harsh word…but yeah. it'll give them something to talk about at least. Its like a triangle…quadrangle..or something.
Toniboo- would I do that to you? Actually don't answer that. Left behind was very early Fayth work and I went back and cringe over the spelling and punctuation mistakes, I am gradually rewriting it again when I get a few moments. People will get back together about chapter 16ish.
Lynn-50670- Tank you, I wonder what Zack is thinking now about Ben. Hmm, might have to write that. And THANK YOU for mentioning the black book- it was exactly what I was hoping for to get over my damn writers block. It made the Pix scene and so I dedicate my scene to you.
BlackRose9- Glad you liked it, I can promise a confrontation between Anna and White very soon. Promise.
Mrs- intense and emotional- good way of putting it there. See I wouldn't leave Jay out- she's a good character.
Natacup82- LOL, Dude? Is that a verb or adjective? Yes please buy Ben some Prozac…or restraints.
Lotamoxie- Exactly, whilst Drew is unstable, she's steadier than Ben- which is to say that not very. Her reasons are explained and I too am a D/D. I adore Pix and love his vulnerable side, he's not just a joker. I will update honest.
Amelya- Hi there, I'm not totally sure how the pairings are going to fall. All I know is that the characters are growing up and changing in personality. So that makes the pairings unreliable as some are going apart and some are getting closer. I admit that even I didn't realise the potential between Drew and Ben until it happened and now… well we'll have to wait and see.
Tiggi- writers prerogative to be insecure I think. Ben needed a larger character before we could delve into his past so I think it behoved me to wait a while. Plus I just love him now, even his dark parts. Dek/Max spinoff? I would love… someone else to write that! LOL. Yes Chance is down becase of the Shark DNA thing but that should be better now.
Bluejean452- Confused is good. Ben was always a killer but a restrained one. I hope this made this make more sense. If not email me and I'll se what I can do.
Sarah- Hey pet, Everyone wants both Drew/Ben and Dek/Drew which will be hard to fulfil since I am not into threesomes! I'll see what I can do here though. More Greeks too.
L80bug- I wondered where you had gone to! Have Fayth in me pet, I have never done you wrong before have I? Ummm… have I? I'm blaming it on restructuring after the pulse with school years. I think I meant she was in 6th form which in the UK is 16+ but I'll have another look.
Blueangel137- Am I a smartass myself? Yes! LOL. My mouth got me in so much trouble at school. I made my RE teacher cry on my first day and got a letter sent home before I had been there a week. More Greeks here for ya to say Awww!
Manema- Theres a vote for Drew/Dek. Ben is scary isn't he? MAL stands for Moving Alongside. MAH stands for Moving Ahead. It's the stories before this one.
Cleo-cat- hey, its nice to hear from you! I think the kids take away some of the teen angst that surrounds each chapter and adds an element of innocence to things. As for the Ben thing; It is a hard plot to get involved in, its hard to think that characters you like can be so evil, but thanks for staying with it. Thank you again.
Feenian- LOL, one word and I just get "good" c'mon girl! Dramatic is good. Funny is good. Ooh more Skye Flex as requested and I will have more of them in the next one too. They are mates now. I will have to do some flashbacks of that.
Wendy10- Hey there. Thank you very , very very much.
Lyndsay- Yeah Drew was very much in my mind with the very first chapter even if she wasn't established until much later. I liked her. Ben's layers are what make him so different to Alec and boy can I not wait until they meet! The explanation for Drew kiss is here, does it make sense to you? Isacar rules supreme, I love that kid! I should sell Pix hugs!
Sweettweety06- LOL
Jade-k- Cheers pet, powerful- I like that.
Elfie- I think my brain must exist on a different level to everyone else- these things are almost natural to me. Isacar has more in common with me than I think! I know I had to read HP and the OH MY GOD HE IS SO NOT THE HALF Blood PRINCE! Ahem. Sorry about that. Ralph, I think, is too tenacious for her own good, but damn if she isn't good for Anna. Yes the attic scene was like a mini movie. Scary what foes on in my head isn't it? I love Pix, I think I might make a placard for it!
Erak- I don't think Ben needs curing, I think he need a big ass hug- any volunteers?
Madan- LOL, I think its been a while since I have kidnapped anyone, but I am glad that you like them so much. You are Anna? I'm not sure to be scared about meeting you now! I used to hate OC's so I know where you are coming from. The trouble is that I adore these guys so much!
Havock- Tea is good. Chocolate is better… except for that pesky diet. Oh well. No you don't look like Emma (gives you a strange look) she is tall, thin and a redhead whereas you… are not! Drew ands Ben in Psy-ops together- like day trip?
Meri24- Do you want him saved? He is cute when he is crazy! He'll stop because she is there to keep him in line. I hope Drew explained things to your satisfaction.
Aku-neko- Yes you are inflating my ego, but I need it! Thank you so much. Its odd but I agree although Drew/Ben action did take up mot, Pix does shine out. It is unusual to see him so "out there" that it makes it all for you. I'm glad that you like rereading the LB universe. I have to admit to rewriting some of my earlier stuff for posting when I'm done. Punctuation and grammar errors that make me wince now!
Sigma1- Plenty of Drew…uh I hope that is a good thing. I'm feeling very Ben vibes in this review do I take it that Ben/Drew is not to your liking… or that you just want me dead? Either way is fine. clears throat nervously and backs away asking Chaosti for that flamethrower) I did say there were a few minor twists. Trust me!
Fadingphantom- I blinked and missed it. Hormones are between them as well as animal instinct. Drew makes more sense than that, I hope. LOL the change of pace was intentional. It has been building for some time and needed some action ere. The drew/Ben thing might seem squicky but trust me on this. It'll work out. Lightening flashes- dammit I knew I missed something!
Aria-Chan- thanks pet, will do.
Kim- Anna is cool, ain't she. Winces before you get to 11. LOL, I can imagine you sitting there yelling at your computer! I loved the Drew/Ben interaction. I think that Ben's psychosis was simmering below the surface and needed to be played upon. The full blown attack might have been sudden but I think it played well. Intensely sadistic and the kiss leading to… well. Watch for that.
La Vito- She loves Dek, she really does. But Ben is… well. See above.
L80bug- okay, allrigt already!