Title: ...Happily Ever After
Author: Roxy
Beta Reader: Rose
Category: Action, Humor and Romance. (M/L)
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created by James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee. I don't own Dark Angel, though Noah and Lou do belong to me. I am making no money out of this.
Summary: This is my hit at a 3rd season. Max and the others are trapped in TC, surrounded by White's men. A new little sister comes along. Deck reappears (isn't he just our favorite bad guy?). X5s reunion. More Familiars and how to deal with them.
Previous Chapter: Max and Noah are sent on a supposed 'recon mission' that goes sideways as Lou tags along. They meet Original Cindy, who is currently working with Asha and the S1W on a movement that would defend the trannies' rights in the upcoming media war. The four girls head to South Market to buy a few goodies for the trannies that stayed back at the facility. There, they split up and Lou ends up facing Ames White on her own. Of course, Max and Noah come in to save the day and everybody heads back to the facility safe and sound. Meanwhile, White's men have managed to track a transmission between Lou and her parents.
Notes: So this is a very long chapter, the longest yet... yes people, thirty six pages! Good luck reading it all. While writing this chapter, I've had to face a real author's block plus Beta-Babe was really busy with College so that's why we're a little behind schedule... we'll both do our best to make sure this doesn't happen again... Hope you all enjoy this chapter, cuz this was hard work people! ;-)
Feedback: M/L Only: Sorry, but no Max and Logan in this chapter... Chapter 7, however, is full of it... You can't build a whole season on just romance. I think the main category of this fic is general because I can hardly stick to only one category! I'm sorry if this is a problem... There is going to be M/L in the coming chapters, maybe not as much as you wish (get together, problems they will have to face as a couple because all this is new concept for Max, more get together ;-) ). But M/L are not the main plot of this fic, sorry. This fic is going to be much too big for that! I have twenty one chapters planned and as you've seen so far, my chapters count from 20 to 30 pages! Bear with me though, and you'll get what you want, after all, I'm a M/L shipper too ;-)
BlackRose9: Just so you know, each time I post a new chapter, I now wait for one of your enthusiastic reviews... It makes me nervous, because I have the feeling that each time, you're expecting something, something that's better be good... but I'm always glad to know you're around in the end. Thanks.
Somebody's Dark Angel: Well you're assuming right, the virus is going to be cured... really soon btw... I'm sorry to say, that I'm not a genius of science so I won't dwell too much on how the virus was cured. Let's just say that New Manticore is full of young, talented searchers who don't ask outrageous amount of money to start working on a blood sample. Or if they do, they're not sending the bill to Max or Logan.
Amanda: Alas, a new reader! Welcome aboard and be ready for a long trip (21 chapters planned!). A different direction than the show? Maybe, I don't really know, but if the direction the show was taking is reflected in the books than I'm rather glad that I haven't gone there! (Not much a fan of the books, can you tell? ;-) ) I'm not saying a third season would have happened this way, I mean Lou is a spoiled, selfish, immature, preppy little brat, product of my imagination... However, in every new season, new characters show up (Alec and Joshua in S2) so having another sister join the gang wasn't that improbable... well at least not to me. Especially with Max getting all responsible and becoming the world's savior and all! Well hoping you'll stay with us for a while...
Further Notes, then I promise I'll let you read: Yes people, we've made it! 20 reviews and that's without counting the ones I get on forums and on LJ! That's it, I have reached complete plenitude! (I know, I have very low life expectations :p ) Now that I have finished my random ramblings, you may read... ;-)
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...Happily Ever After
Chapter VI: Big Big Girl
"We've got an address Sir!" Otto said bursting in his boss's office, triumphantly holding out a paper.
White immediately spun around. No quotas of patience today. He needed to know and he needed to know now!
"Mr. and Mrs. George Wilson live near Manchester"
"Are we sure that Mr. and Mrs. George Wilson really are the people we are looking for?" White asked raising his brow suspiciously.
"Yes" Otto nodded with satisfaction, "The Wilson couple was in the United States on a business trip of Mr. -he's a retired ambassador- on June 2009. And when they left the country a few months later, it was with a five year old little girl: Lou Wilson, their daughter, adopted daughter"
White grabbed the paper from Otto's hands, nearly tearing it apart. The Familiar started pacing his office and if he hadn't been Ames White, he might've stopped to do the dance of glory and maybe even the dance of vengeance! However, he thought he ought to keep it to a simple chuckle as Otto was still giving him the accomplished look a doggy gives its master when it knows it's done well.
"But... um Sir?" Otto risked, "I've been thinking"
White had his back to his employee and couldn't repress rolling his eyes. Some people are just not meant for intellectual activity and the sooner in their lives these persons realize it, the better for their professional circle. In that sense, 'I've been thinking' seemed completely out of place coming from Otto's mouth.
"It's just... Manchester, it's in all the way in England" Otto continued.
Well, what do you know? The little guy knows his geography, Ames White told himself.
"We can't interfere in other countries' policies. I mean, they are certainly not going to let us get a hold of those two British citizens. And anyway, considering how the last hostage situation turned out-"
Wow, he also has long term memory!
Stop it Ames, you're abusing sarcasm, the Familiar told himself. He might just have to change right hand man if the guy kept showing so many signs of trying to be intelligent.
Anyway, Ames White didn't answer Otto. He just rubbed his hands in satisfaction. True, the NSA couldn't interfere in Britain, but he knew others who could...
-------------------
"To England? Tomorrow morning?" Lydecker snorted, "Right" he added sarcastically.
Alone with the ghost of her childhood's nightmares, Lou was trying really hard to deal with anxiety, guiltiness and total panic – these were her own feelings - but Lydecker not taking her seriously was something she didn't feel like handling right now.
"I don't think you quite get it" Lou said in a last attempt at being calm, "My parents are in danger. White knows where they are. I have to get to them before he does. If I don't leave first thing tomorrow morning-"
"- you won't fall into a trap" Lydecker said finally serious.
"So let's hear your brilliant plan to save the day"
"It's simple: we know that the Familiars know that you know that they have your parents"
Lou frowned: thank god she was an X5 because Lydecker always had a talent at putting things in the simplest way...
"So of course, they're expecting you to come and get them. Even an X8 would see that it's trap. That's why you're not going" he said stating the obvious.
"Right" Lou said hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand as if she had just had a revelation "I should just stay here and let them kill my parents! Why didn't I think of it first? You're such a genius Lydecker, you never fail to impress me" she added ironically.
"It's time for you to start acting responsible" Lydecker said ignoring her intolerant tone.
"I don't think we have the same definition of the word 'responsible'. However, I'm quite sure that the Oxford Dictionary doesn't mention that being responsible implies leaving your parents in the hands of psychotic members of a whacky murderous cult!"
Now she was pissed! Do not touch the parents!
How could he be sitting behind his desk and act as if he was just telling her that she had to cut back on the milkshakes?
"Maybe if you had started acting responsible a long time ago, many things wouldn't be what they are right now!"
Now he was pissed!
"What the hell are you talking about Lydecker?"
"You put these persons in danger in the first place! They never should've raised you because you never should've left Manticore!"
Oh, that was it! The good old recriminations on why Donny had lost his wonderful kids!
"I'd really love to stay here and recall my wonderful childhood memories with you Lydecker, but right now I have people dying on my hands. So, if you'll excuse me-"
"Even without going so far back in time... your lack of discipline and responsibility has already caused us major losses!" he said ignoring her.
"Are you talking about Brin? Is it my fault that she died?" Lou said: cocky attitude gone and emotion making its way through her voice.
"No! I'm talking about today's recon mission you completely blew up?" he said rising from his chair.
Lou bit her lip. He hadn't been talking about Brin.
"That wasn't all my fault! Even you couldn't have known those agents were going to be there! If Max and Noah had been alone, the same thing would have happened!" she pleaded.
Why was she justifying her actions to him? She felt like a little girl trying to show her father that she only had good intentions. But she didn't want to be that little girl! She would show him! She could be responsible too!
"Max and Noah wouldn't have chosen to face White instead of his agents! You made that choice because you wanted to get back at him for what had happened to Brin!" Lydecker was near yelling now, "This was a misjudgment caused by you feeling things instead of thinking them!"
Lou remained still; intensely focusing on a spot in the air on Lydecker's left. She swallowed silently.
"I thought I had taught you better! Emotions are nothing but a weakness that your enemy shouldn't be able to use against you!"
Right, and Lou had a very good idea of who was her enemy at the very moment.
"I'm leaving whether you like it or not" she spoke almost in a whisper, still staring.
"No you're not, you're staying right here!"
Finally, she looked him in the eye and realized he no longer was the ten feet tall monster with a cold gaze that terrified her and her siblings. No, he was just... a man, not a nice one but still, only a man. And she was a transgenic. He couldn't stop her.
Lou spun around and headed for the door.
"This is an order X5 515!" he said threateningly.
"My name is Lou Wilson and you have no right whatsoever to give me an order" she spoke coldly, "You're no one Lydecker. You can't make us do anything. What do you think? That you've managed to get all your precious little kids back? That everything's back the way it used to be? Well, reality check: Manticore's gone, for real and for good. Can you spell 'temporary situation'?"
She went for the door again and Lydecker said in a calm and neutral voice:
"If you leave now, don't even think about coming back"
She turned on her heels to face him: the frightened little girl was nowhere to be seen.
"Right, why don't you just clone me before I leave? That way, when I'm gone, you'll still have the same number of soldiers and seeing as how that's all you need to be happy" she shrugged.
He held her gaze, neither of them daring to look away before the other.
"You know sometimes I wonder" she went on, "Were you always this cold, this dead inside? I don't know how you even turned into the cold hearted bastard that you are!"
She was way beyond pissed now and blinded by her own pain, she was not really aware of the impact of her words. With that last sentence that echoed deep into Lydecker's head, Lou stepped out and slammed the door.
'Posh X5' had no idea how deep the wound she had reawakened was. Lydecker heavily sighed and gazed at the spot where Lou had stood just seconds ago. Without taking his eyes away from that spot, he sat down behind his desk.
Lou was wrong: contact with these kids had kept awake that tiny bit of heart that hadn't died away with her... his wife.
-------------------
"Well, well that was quite a show you put on in Lydecker's office" Alec said his trade mark smirk painted on his face as he leaned on the threshold of Lou's room.
She had her back to him and was furiously throwing a few clothes in her backpack. Alec walked to her casually, hands in his pockets.
"Has the cat bit out your tongue?" he joked, "You don't even wanna know how I found out? Ok, I'll tell you anyway. So an X7 happened to-" he interrupted himself when he caught a glance at her face.
She was looking down at whatever she was putting in her bag; her long wavy hair in her face and her almond shaped eyes hidden by cap dragged too low. But Alec knew too well the symptoms: cheeks red from rubbing the tears away and runny nose. Lou had unmistakably been crying.
"Hey, what's wrong kiddo?" he asked in the most sympathizing tone he was capable of.
"Don't call me kiddo" she said coldly, still not looking at him "And I'm fine. Go away"
"I know you're leaving" Alec shrugged.
"Yeah, yeah, I got that the first time" Lou said still trying to keep her hands busy in order to keep looking down "now go away"
"So you're going back to England?" Alec said tentatively.
Lou didn't answer and continued doing whatever it was she was pretending to do.
"I didn't really get the details. You know, X7s, you need a computer to translate and I'm not very patient so-"
"So you just came to get the details from the source, right? What? Planning on joining Sketchy once you're outta here?! Well, please take notes: at this very moment, White's got my parents because I couldn't get home soon enough. And you wanna know why I couldn't get home soon enough? Because Lydecker wouldn't let me go! But here's your scoop Alec: I'm going and I'm never coming back!" she yelled and as she did so, she finally looked at him.
Her eyes were puffy and red, both because she hadn't slept and after a confrontation with White you definitely needed some sleep and because she had been crying. She looked flushed as well: her cheekbones highlighted in pink and her hair usually so well arranged was all messed up.
"You sure he's already got them?" Alec asked remaining serious.
"Yes" she said impatiently "Gift coming straight from Sandeman: call it highly developed female instinct!"
She sighed heavily. She was packing but she didn't know how she was going to get back to England. NSA agents would probably stop her before she even got on the plane since they now knew who she was.
She wished Alec would leave; she just wanted to be alone.
She let herself fall heavily on her bed and Alec came to sit next to her. Why couldn't he just go? She didn't want to see anyone, she didn't want anyone to see her so helpless and scared.
Alec just looked at her for a second; not knowing really how the deal with a seventeen year old girl crying over her parents. He decided that putting his hand on hers would be a good start.
Lou jumped at the touch and couldn't help but frown at him.
"You're not alone. We won't let you down" he said softly.
"Who's 'we'?" Lou asked.
"I'm not too sure about that, but I think I'm part of it" Max weakly smiled from the threshold.
Lou jumped once again, her hand shaking away Alec's as she got up and walked to Max.
"Jeez Max, keep doing that and I just might think that you're spying on me" Alec said sarcastically.
"And you keep doing that and I just might have to" she said taking Lou in her arms, "It's gonna be all right. The rescue team's on it"
"What?" Lou asked.
"Alec, why don't you go see Logan and tell him that you're also part of the trip?" Max suggested.
"Max, that's rude" Alec said fainting to be hurt.
"What now?"
"If this is going to be sister talk, say so. Don't send me over to Logan's for God knows what" he said cockily walking out the door.
Lou smiled and even Max couldn't help the corners of her full lips from twitching.
-------------------
They had been flying for over an hour now and the panic and hyper-excitement that had overwhelmed the five of them when they had first heard the news, had partly faded away.
Noah was sitting between Zack and Max; she looked down the central row, a row fully occupied by X5s. Lou was sitting between Max and Alec; at first, the junior X5 had started dozing off on Max's shoulder. The girls hadn't slept in the last 48 hours and Noah was starting to feel that her body was seriously requiring some. Max however looked perfectly fresh. 'Damn that shark DNA!' Noah smirked.
She gave another glance to her left, down the row; Lou's head was now dangerously dangling towards Alec's shoulder. Noah snorted; what would 'Posh X5' say if she could see herself drooling this way? Plus, drooling all over... what was it that Lou had called Alec again? Oh, yeah... just another guy overdosed with testosterone that prides himself on jumping everything that has breasts... Whatever, Noah rolled her eyes.
Noah turned her eyes to her right; Zack looked even more serious than usual. His blonde hair was falling in his face, the blue of his eyes barely distinguishable under the deep frown on his forehead. If he kept going, X5 or not, Zack would end up with wrinkles!
Noah put her hand on his, thus making him jump out of his thoughts. I bet he was going through a plan in that little head of his with the little information that we have, she guessed. In fact, Noah realized that they didn't know anything. In fact, all they knew was that the Familiars knew that they knew that they had Lou's parents (Gotta get some sleep Noah, you're sounding like Deck!).
Lou had phoned a certain William, her butler from what it looked like ('Oh my God! She has a butler! Do those even exist?') and asked him to come and pick them up at Heathrow Airport in London.
Zack had explained that they could get to Manchester by car and that it would be safer. What if the Familiars would be waiting for them in Manchester's airport?
Noah came back to reality when she saw blue eyes looking at her questioningly.
"You Ok?" she asked.
"Yeah" he smiled weakly, gently squeezing her hand.
She gave him a smile matching his own and leaned forward to kiss the side of his forehead hidden beneath blonde hair. Noah had always thought that Zack's voice sounded softer than his appearance first suggested. It contrasted with his harsh expression and self confident attitude.
"You've changed, you know? In a good way"
He kept silent knowing that she would explain further more without him asking.
"Maybe it's because our enemy's changed too" Noah shrugged "but I don't think so, you've been changing gradually for a year now. There was a time when you would've sacrificed the two ordinaries without a second thought, if that meant keeping us alive"
It was true; Zack had killed when they had been in danger. For Max, he had killed Voogelsang. At some point, he had even considered killing all those that knew about their secret. That was X5 599's side, but even when she switched to X5 344 mode, Noah hated killing. But Zack just didn't seem to mind and that was almost frightening.
"You didn't care how much we cared about those ordinaries, how much we considered them as equals... you only saw them as a threat to our safety, that they would lead Lydecker straight to us"
Zack had asked Max to leave Seattle, to leave Logan, even if at the time there had been a possible self interest in this scenario.
Noah also remembered when he had asked her to leave Phoenix because of Ginna. Ginna had been to Noah what OC was to Max; she had been her big sister, her roommate, her first real friend, she had found her a job, a crib and now she was dead.
Zack hadn't killed her but he still had considered her as a major threat.
And of course, there had been Billie (X5 101) and Eric, her ordinary boyfriend. Zack had ordered Billie to leave Eric in the hands of Manticore when they had nearly caught up with her. Now whether or not Billie had obeyed him; that was another story.
From the look on Zack's face, Noah knew she had touched a sensitive spot and that he too, was going through painful memories all over again. She squeezed his hand tighter and spoke softly:
"I know you're not going to like this, but it's true: you are the perfect soldier, you are exactly what Manticore was trying to achieve. You've lived up to their expectations and it's just that it used to scare me sometimes; it used to scare us all. Because we saw in you Deck's way of thinking, his logic. You always acted for the greater good and sometimes you forgot about individuals. You impressed us because we knew that sooner or later, if we couldn't, you'd do what it took to make sure that we would stay safe"
Zack's eyes seemed painted with sadness after hearing that she had ever been scared of him. Noah felt a hint of guiltiness but she knew that once it'd be over, things would be ok. She just needed to say this, and she knew that Zack needed to hear it as well.
"And you've changed in a sense that it's not the CO or X5 599 sitting here with me, it's you, it's just you. You've gone against Lydecker's orders; you've decided that those ordinaries were worth risking our lives to get them back. It's a first step towards seeing them as equals. We have to work both on their sides and on ours as well. And we... I couldn't be happier about anything than you being here with me" she smiled.
Zack seemed lost in memories once again and a female voice echoed in his head: 'You're missing the whole thing if you don't open up your heart a little Zack. You're only seeing the bad things of this world. Don't spoil your life, big bro'
"Thank Tinga" he finally said then shrugging he added, "Anyway, I have a feeling that 'Annoying Brat' and 'Stubborn Pain in the Ass' would've followed 'Posh X5' if the snotty prat had been going to the Artic continent! You girls are too protective with her. She gets too much attention"
"Right" Noah said grinning "Blame it on me and Max. And don't talk to me about being too protective! I believe you're the only one on this plane with canine DNA"
He beamed, put her arm around his 'Annoying Little Brat' and Noah curled up against him. She slept through the rest of the flight.
-------------------
When the world is supposed to be broken due to an EM pulse, it's funny to realize that many people haven't changed their way of life. Airplanes were expensive, very expensive, Logan expensive and yet Heathrow Airport was crowded.
Max already knew that, pulse or not, some people hadn't changed their way of life in the past eleven years but it was still impressive to see how many there really were!
Max didn't say anything but she guessed that Lou's parents were among these people and she was trying really hard not to let her ambivalent experience concerning rich guys have the best of her.
After all, these people had adopted Lou even though she wasn't exactly normal. Maybe they had only found that out later on but still, they hadn't repudiated her, had they? Then, who was Max to barge into their life and push on them her preconceived thoughts about fellows that don't need to work to survive.
Max saw Lillian Wilson as an older version of Posh X5. She rolled her eyes just imagining the mother and daughter reunion:
'Oh my God, look at your hair! Your roots are showing honey! We gotta get you to the hair specialist immediately! It's a matter of life and death!'
'I know Mum, Lydecker wouldn't let me go and anyway, there aren't any Vidal Sassoon in Seattle. While we're at it maybe you could get your nails done, what has White done to them?'
Max smirked imagining that the worst torture Ames White could come up for Lou would be to leave her without shaving her legs for over a month while giving her the Joan of Arc hair cut that would make her look so 80s!
The gang traveled light and so, had no baggage to retrieve. Lou led the way to the exit. She was on familiar ground here. She quickened her pace and seemed nearly out of breath and yet, there was a smile stretched across her face.
She burst outside the airport, looked around and then rushed again. She let go of her backpack and blurred into the arms of a man Max hadn't spotted yet.
In his mid thirties, the man was standing straight as a picket fence in a perfectly black suit and a matching cap, near a black limousine: William was Max's guess.
He didn't seem to know how to respond to Lou's sudden embrace; trapped between surprise (had he even seen her coming?), a hold back worthy of a true Englishman and obvious happiness. Finally, he gave in and hugged the little girl he had helped raise in his arms.
Zack, Noah, Max and Alec walked to them.
"Try not blurring in the middle of an airport, Lou" Zack said frowning and glancing around nervously, "What if Familiars are around?"
Max looked at Noah and they both shared the 'whatever' look. Zack was paranoid and that was common knowledge.
Only then did William notice the four of them. He let go of Lou to straighten up, cleared his throat and held out his hand to Zack.
"William Barnum Deice, butler to the Wilson family" he said in a British accent.
Alec snorted from somewhere behind the girls but Zack looked at serious as ever when he grabbed the butler's hand and said:
"Zack"
Lou was beaming as she introduced her sisters and Alec. They soon threw their backpacks in the trunk and relaxed in the limousine William was driving.
-------------------
It was a long ride till Manchester. When they reached the imposing gate that lead to the Wilson Manor, Max couldn't help but gasp. From her cat burglary years, she knew that the gate was just show off and that you could easily be disappointed by the treasures that lay within.
However, somehow Max didn't think that it'd be the case this time.
Once they had passed the tennis field, the fitness room and the covered swimming pool, the car reached the main building. It looked renewed though ancient and its inside had completely been redone to fit the needs of a family.
Logan would be getting lost in that kitchen and Max wondered whether or not Mrs. Wilson used it or if they had chef. Maybe they even had several chefs, each with a specialty...
There was something like four or five living rooms but you could tell which ones served as museums and which one was really used by the family: it had a huge plasma screen TV and everything you need to make yourself a home cinema.
Pictures of Lou were here and there: Lou skiing, Lou in a new dress looking like a live doll with brown ringlets and bows in her hair, Lou at her 11th birthday party, Lou getting her Labrador Donald, Lou chasing her Dad, Lou kissing her Mom, Lou playing with her new computer, Lou this and Lou that...
It seemed like this whole house was made for her.
"They couldn't have any kids of their own" Lou said her hands uneasily hidden behind her back.
Max and Noah were staring at the many pictures of her and she felt forced to justify herself.
Alec was wandering somewhere where all the valuable stuffs were and Zack was staring at the DVD collection.
"I can't believe you guys have the entire Star Wars collection" Zack said in total awe.
Max looked at Noah questioningly; Noah just rolled her eyes and said:
"You didn't know? You wanna see your CO act like a 5 year old kid? Just put in a Star Wars DVD, any episode will do"
"Noah, check it out, they've even got the first three episodes" Zack called from the next room.
"Really?" Noah said fainting interest though Zack didn't seem to notice, "I can hardly wait"
She walked way, leaving Lou and Max alone.
"Are you all right?" Max asked her.
"Yeah" Posh X5 said not exactly as confident as usual, "Let's just stick to business. The Familiars left a note. Can you believe it? A note? And I thought White was the black sheep..."
"Sure..." Max smiled weakly.
Once the four X5s, William and Donald were reunited in the living room (one of them anyway), Zack who had finally gotten Luke Skywalker out of his head questioned the butler for a very long time. Long enough for the girls and Alec to take a shower and for Lou to doze off, Donald drooling on her laps. 'Like masters, like dogs', Noah told herself remembering the scene on the plane.
"Well, at least, they're not big on timing" Alec yawned, "I mean, Friday night, the castle's ruins up North" he added reading out loud the note left by the Familiars, "We could go clubbing and join them as an after-party"
"What I don't understand is how they managed to kidnap Mr. and Mrs. Wilson only two hours after the call had been traced" William noted, "Didn't you say that this White character lives in Seattle? He couldn't have possibly got here in so short a time"
"I guest that supports the theory: taking in Familiars isn't just an American privilege" Noah shrugged.
"Sure does" Zack nodded, "About that castle William?"
And Zack went back to questioning the butler all over again, for William was the only one that knew anything about the location where the Wilsons were being held against their will.
-------------------
What the hell was she doing? Was this really Zack's plan? Did he really want her to step in the castle without any protection whatsoever and no way of contacting the three of them if things turned ugly?
Lou was asking herself all these questions as she loudly inhaled in order to dissipate the tension in her entire body.
She was standing alone in the cold night air between the trees of the forest that lay on the side of the castle's ruins, her meeting point with the Familiars. The silence around her was making her feel uneasy as much as the ruins that were rising before her.
The place looked like the perfect setting for a horror movie. The night was only adding to its haunted aspect and was far from reassuring 'Posh X5'.
'Why did it have to be during nighttime? I mean, I'm sure even Familiars have plans on Friday night! Why not in the afternoon?' She asked herself.
She checked her watch: it was time.
She inhaled once more, stepped out of the trees and walked straight to the old drawbridge, entrance of the castle, that was facing South.
Here goes nothing, she whispered as she saw two hooded Familiars walk to her.
-------------------
Max tried to focus on the task at hand and to ignore... various external elements.
Maybe in her next life she would be rewarded for always hooking up with Alec on missions!
God, why didn't he EVER shut up?
"... after becoming the world's most famous and successful lawyer, I could-"
"Shut up" Max snapped, "We're really close to the walls, they might hear us!"
So much for the karma, Max inertly shrugged but hey, a girl can only take so much!
A) She had been assigned Alec as partner again, B) Lou was going to get in that damned Fortress any second now, C) She didn't even know whether or not they could rescue the Wilsons, parents or daughter and D) There was a Familiar up on the wall they intended to climb... great!
Max and Alec intended to get into the castle via the Eastern side and Max guessed that on the West side, Zack and Noah would be experiencing the same Familiar problem.
White was bound to have, at least, one cult member pacing in the round way of each of the four sides of the castle.
Climbing wouldn't be the hardest part. After all, they were all cats here. The hardest part would be getting past the Familiar and into the inner court without any of the four guards to notice them.
Once they had reached to edge of the ancient stone wall and stood inches away from the hooded Familiar each time he passed by, Max realized that there would be no way for both her and Alec to get pass him and past the others.
While the guard on the east side-their side-had his back to them, Max peeped above the stone and saw that she had guessed right: there was one Familiar on each, North, South, East and West, side of the castle.
She turned to Alec, right beside her and made a few military moves with her free hand, the one that wasn't strongly gripping the stone.
Alec nodded and they both peeped above the stone like Max had minutes earlier.
"Zack?" Max whispered in her ear piece, "You know what would be great? You taking care of the Western fellow"
The answer came in a tone matching hers:
"One step ahead of ya. Always had a soft spot for hooded robes"
She looked at the guard pacing the west round way and as a confirmation, he slightly nodded. It was Zack.
She turned to Alec to make sure he too had gotten it. He nodded, they all had an earpiece.
Hazel eyes on the northern guard, hazel green eyes on the southern one. They both mumbled an indistinguishable 'clear' when both the Familiars had their back to them.
Max applied a strong pressure on both her legs and hands, and jumped over the edge of the wall to land as soft as a feather in the round way, facing the eastern guard.
The Familiar shook his head in surprise, never uttering a single noise. Alec matched Max's jump and landed behind the Familiar. He grabbed him and the Familiar who had been unaware of the presence of a second transgenic, fell unanimated in his arms as Alec snapped his neck.
"Max, Alec! South and North looking your way in approximately three seconds"
Max exchanged a look of panic and urgency with Alec.
Then, as the X5 let the Familiar's body slide to the floor, his fingers gripping the black cloak, she groveled to the floor.
Two seconds later, northern and southern guards looked their way but all they saw was their brother looking over the eastern wall and nodding at them. And as they nodded back, they had no idea that four transgenic had just compromised their location.
"We're clear" Max spoke in her earpiece, still flattened against the cold hard stone.
"Same here. Proceed to the objective" came the CO's order.
And Max and Alec's objective was the keep.
-------------------
If Lou still had had doubts on whether or not the Familiars were gentlemen, well the brutal way with which they were dragging her across the drawbridge, the inner court and up to the chapel had given her some food for thought concerning that answer.
'The chapel? Why are they taking me to the chapel?' Lou wondered and though she had no idea why, she didn't think it could ever lead to something positive either... well, at least not something positive for her.
The two Familiars were using an incredible amount of force to drag her and make sure she didn't escape. But Lou knew that even if she did manage to get away from Beavus and Butthead (God, I'm sounding American!), she wouldn't be able to get out of the castle.
There were hooded guards walking on all north, south, east and west round ways and Lou even wondered if Alec and her siblings had managed to get in! If not then... she didn't even want to think of what it would mean if she was on her own.
She hadn't had the privilege of wearing an earpiece; Alec had pointed out that the Familiars would probably have searched her and for once, Alec had been right.
Laurel and Hardy (Now that's more of English reference) were pushing her down so much she could barely keep her legs straight. They hadn't handcuffed her but they were keeping her head down in a way that she could only stare at the stone steps of the stairs they were climbing.
Finally, when one of them released her neck from the constant pressure he had been applying during the last ten minutes, Lou was able to look up but couldn't repress a groan at the sight that lay before her.
Ames White looked awkward not wearing his usual black suit, in fact you could even wonder if it really was him in the long dark hooded robe and the clutches he had to thank Noah for.
Then, Lou looked more carefully: the cold stare, the self content smirk, hands in his pocket. And even though Lou had gotten used to seeing him with a deep frown of frustration and concern all over his face, the man in front of her was unmistakably Ames White.
"Nice to see you, Lou" he seemed to particularly stress the last word.
"Oh, nice to see you've gotten over your fear of calling things by their proper name" she said, looking up at him with difficulty as the two Familiars had taken it on forcing her down again and firmly locked her hands behind her back.
"Let's see how long it takes you to lose your sense of humor under torture" he said turning his back to her and looking out the window in the pitch dark.
"Was she alone?" Ames White addressed Beavus and Butthead.
They silently nodded, not releasing Lou from their pressure for one second.
"Tell the others to keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious. The kind of filth we have to deal with never travels alone" he warned his men absentmindedly tapping his injured leg.
Then, looking down on Lou he added:
"Let's get down to business, shall we?"
"I'd really love to, but don't I have to be wearing one your black robes first?" Lou spoke with the fakest smile she could manage given the uncomfortable position she was in.
White quickly glanced at his men and they immediately responded by violently throwing Lou forward. She knew that if she hadn't placed her hands in front of her, she might've had a bump on her forehead!
"Hasn't your Mama ever told you that you should share with other kids? Fine, keep your black robes! I'll play Harry Potter with my friends"
Before she could even try to get up, White had grabbed her arm, yanked her to her feet and dragged her into a room hidden behind a dusty shabby curtain.
"That is if you ever see them again" White spoke in a voice that sent shivers down Lou's spine.
-------------------
Standing on the western side of the castle, Zack kept an overall watch over his soldier's progression.
He was well aware of the plan not being a 100 sure for any of them; but remaining in constant contact with all of the others made it feel safer... for all of the others, except Lou.
Noah and Max geared up in their black cat suits were taking advantage of the dim light provided by torches, located here and there, and the Familiar's obviously less enhanced night vision.
The two female X5s were successfully hiding in the shadows and blurring when having the pass through a slightly more lighted area, each of them heading for their own objective.
It was easy for Zack to keep an eye on either of them, as well as on the southern and northern guard (Alec still being the eastern) as he walked back and forth the western round way.
Any change in the attitude of the guards and he would easily notice it... any change, like a stop in pacing and a stare at the opposite roof.
"Noah, North staring right at you. Think he only saw something moving. Hold still"
The shadow that was Noah's did as ordered and hid in a cavity of the ancient roof.
"Max whatever you have to do that might be catchy, you wanna do it now, while the guards attention's on Noah'
"Got it"
Zack looked down in the inner court, at the entrance of the keep.
A black form popped out of the shadows and blurred onto the keeper, dragging him inside.
The northern guard's attention was still on Noah and the southern one had also caught the change in his brother's attitude.
"Alec? I need you to play along with me but remain in position"
"Sure thing"
Southern Familiar looked towards Zack AKA Western Familiar, as in looking for a confirmation that something was located on the roof of the southern private apartments.
Zack shook his head and pointed at the entrance of the keep where seconds ago, Max had been attacking the keeper. Now all that Familiars could notice was the absence of that keeper.
The two Familiars nodded and one followed Zack as he climbed down the stairs in the inner court and to the now unguarded keep's entrance.
"Noah, you're clear. Resume to the objective" Zack heard Alec tell Noah.
His plan had worked.
-------------------
The keeper's body spread in the corner of the room, Max proceeded further into the keep. No doubt that there would be other guards but she had the element of surprise.
Max couldn't help but notice how old fashioned the Familiars were. They obviously hadn't any kind of equipment to communicate with each other, unlike the FBI agents White was used to working with; and the only light in the castle was provided by torch lights which had only facilitated Max's progress until now.
Hell, had she been expecting a possible hostage rescue situation, she would've placed spot lights everywhere, make sure that every corner was illuminated – not that she needed it, of course. Cat's vision was as efficient as any Hollywood spot light.
Obviously, White still underestimated them and that was exactly the kind of advantage they desperately needed in this suicidal mission!
-------------------
Being dragged by Beavus and Butthead had been uncomfortable enough but having your entire weight being held up by your hands that happened to be attached to chains hanging from the ceiling was somehow worse.
Ideal position for the torturer though, Lou had to give Ames White credit for that.
She had neither shoes nor jumper and goose bumps were spreading across her skin; whether it was from cold or fear didn't matter all that much, she was too numb to feel anything.
Lou didn't even know if her parents were still alive... hell, she didn't even know if the others had managed to get in! Would Zack say that it was hopeless, that they would all get caught and die? Would the others obey?
Lou could just picture Max and Noah complaining and arranging their own escape plan... and Lou hoped that they wouldn't. She hoped they would all leave this country, the sooner, the better; so that Max could go back to Logan, that Zack and Noah could stay together and that Alec... Well, Alec... would probably find some girl to spend the night with, like the stupid git he was!
Her head was loosely dangling to the side and Lou no longer kept any track of time whatsoever. Whether she had been here for an hour or a month made no difference to her.
The important thing was that White was pissed, extremely pissed and that he had been for several long months. But the difference now, was that he had someone to take out all his fury on.
She was trying to think about happy memories, to curl up in her own mind so as not to feel anything. But she did feel that one or several elements beneath the skin of her stomach weren't where they were, anatomically speaking, supposed to be and she also did smell-the smell of her own dried blood.
White was now pacing; mumbling things that she no longer felt like listening because she couldn't focus hard enough on the sound of his voice. All she could make out was a background noise, like an annoying buzzing bee... a killing buzzing bee in this case.
The only thing she knew for sure was that he was having the best of time right now.
Oh-no, the bee had stopped buzzing and was now getting down to killing.
White's own pacing had led him a little away from her but it seemed like the distance that he had allowed between their two bodies was intolerable.
He rushed back towards her, limping with his clutches and Lou knew that if he could blur he would have. But that didn't matter either; her entire vision was blurry now.
Lou jolted at the connection between her jaw and White's strong fist. Her head bounced against the wall for the zillionth time and then went back to dangling in front of her.
She felt the warm texture and metallic taste of blood flow through her mouth. Her feet were loosely hanging above the floor, not even touching it.
Had prisoners been expected to be taller in the past times when this castle was considered more than a historical monument?
Nah, Lou doubted that back then, there had even been a torture chamber behind a chapel!
Those were the thoughts running through her mind as White's hands and legs made contact with her body over and over again, causing every inch of her body to bruise a little more as it hit the wall over and over again.
-------------------
He was having a hard time dissimulating the hyper excitement boiling inside of him. This was his very first important mission for the Conclave. He had had the honor of meeting Ames White earlier; a man filled with determination and an authority that had immediately owed him Thomas' respect.
Thomas was young, very young; turning eighteen next month. And yet, here he was surrounded by Familiars that had many more years of experience than he had.
Thomas was well aware that the only reason he was in this castle, was because his father was a respected and honorable member of the Conclave. Thomas would make sure to honor his father and the family name tonight.
He had never seen any real transgenic but Ames White had warned them that they were bound to see a few of them tonight. Maybe even the legendary 452!
Thomas had thought he had caught a glance of something moving on the roof; something moving like a cat but too big to actually be one.
But obviously, 'western brother' had seen something more important than a shadow: the disappearance of the keeper while all four of them had been staring at a point on the roof.
Thomas really thought he had seen something but now he blamed himself for attracting all his older brothers' attention on a shadow when something obviously more important had been taking place.
That's why he had followed 'western brother' to the keep where the prisoners were being held.
It was probably nothing; the Familiar in charge of guarding the keep's entrance was a great warrior, a little lazy but still a great warrior that had many times proved he was worthy of being a member of the Phalanx, the elite of their warrior breeding line.
However, he had never been accepted; his lack of discipline and disdain for authority being the major drawbacks.
Thomas knew he was surrounded by important Familiars from all over England but he was absolutely unable to tell them apart; knowing them only by name and exploits, plus, the hooded black robes, no matter how traditionally creepy, didn't allow you to see your brother's face.
The Familiar that was accompanying him - Thomas had no idea who it could be and wasn't about to ask either – hadn't addressed a word to him.
One thing they taught you in boarding school was not to ask questions to your elders. And Thomas was pretty sure that none of the Familiars in this Fortress were under 25.
The Familiar with him, Thomas had decided to now refer to him as 'western brother', stepped into the keep. He tagged along, accelerating his pace to keep up with his elder.
Once in, 'western brother's hood circled the room and froze at the right corner. Thomas saw him walk over to where the unanimated keeper's body was.
'Western brother' checked his pulse but Thomas knew that the Familiar was dead.
"We... we should go get help" Thomas stammered.
"No" was the cold firm response he got.
'Western brother' got back to his feet and walked further into the keep. Thomas could do nothing but follow.
On their way, they found a couple of more bodies belonging to their brothers. Obviously, the opponent had had the advantage of surprise. Transgenic or not, Thomas had been told that no one could have the physical advantage over their pain-proof bodies.
They heard muffled sounds: hits and screams.
'Western brother' quickened his pace and Thomas followed once again.
They arrived in the room containing the prisoner's cells and Thomas couldn't help that his mouth drop open behind his black hood.
A female with long dark strands of hair falling in her face was on top of a Familiar.
The Familiar was facing the ground and she had one foot firmly applied to his back, and her two hands twisting his arm which already was at a funny angle.
The Familiar wasn't groaning, let alone screaming. Thomas knew he probably wasn't feeling anything but in combat, a broken arm could turn out to be a disadvantage.
Thomas knew it instantly; he felt it that that girl was 452. And he was caught between, total awe and total panic.
She looked up at him; released the Familiar's arm and smashed his head against the stony ground with her foot.
Thomas took a step back but felt a strong grip on his shoulder.
He turned around in apprehension to face 'western brother' who had drawn back his hood. And Thomas knew instantly as he looked at the blonde hair and the blue eyes that 'western brother' wasn't a Familiar.
-------------------
"Noah, get Lou out of there now" she heard Zack speak in her earpiece.
Right, now that's gonna be the tricky part.
Noah had managed to get off the private apartment's roof to the siding chapel's roof. She had then slipped in via an open widow – not that these old castles held any glass windows anyway.
The chapel seemed empty but Noah had been drawn into a room hidden by heavy shabby curtains by Lou's screams.
She had peeped behind the curtain and seen her baby sister held up by chains and White in the middle of a torture session when Zack had ordered her to retrieve Lou.
Piece of cake, she thought sarcastically, if only, I could-
"WHAT?? WHAT ARE THESE?"
Oops, he's found the runes on Lou's body.
As a matter of fact, after bruising her sister's stomach, White was now ripping off her tank top to have more access to the runes.
He put his fingers on her already sensitized flesh and pressed on her stomach harder than required. Lou screamed in pain and White kept applying even more pressure on her broken ribs to keep her in place.
"Looks like Sandeman thought that stopping the coming was a two women's job. One more reason to kill you. 452 won't be able to do anything alone but I'll get to-"
Ames White spun around and came face to face with Noah who had crept behind him while he was letting out all his anger on Lou.
"I never make the same mistake twice" he spoke coldly.
"Guess I underestimated you"
His whole body weight resting on his valid leg, he swung one of his crutches at her. Noah jumped forward, eluding the blow and landed on White.
They rolled on the floor and though Noah landed on top, her knees on each side of White and her hands dangerously closed to his throat, she didn't have the advantage.
White had drawn out his gun and the barrel was aimed right at her chest.
He pressed the trigger without a second thought.
Noah arched her back, her head making contact with the stony ground. Without pulling herself back up, she raised her hand, swiped the gun from White, sending it across the room and behind the curtain.
The upper part of her back still resting against the ground, she pushed on her elbows and turned her legs around. Her two feet as one connected with White's jaw.
His head slammed against the stone and he seemed stunned for a few minutes; that was all she needed.
She leaped to her feet and freed Lou from her chains.
Lou fell heavily to the floor, her legs unable to carry her.
Noah put an arm around her waist, trying not to press too hard against the broken ribs. They started making for the curtain but Noah hadn't noticed that White had recovered.
He couldn't get up because of his injured leg but his arms were intact. He grabbed his crutch and aimed a strong blow at the two girls.
Noah managed to push Lou to the side so that she wouldn't suffer from the hit.
'Posh X5' stumbled because she couldn't stand on her own but managed to find support from the wall.
Noah fell because White's crutch smashed into her stomach, blowing all the air out of her lungs.
Pushing up on her elbows she looked at White; he was in a similar stance without neither gun nor crutches.
She jumped on him once again and they launched into another wrestling session, punches and hits mixed all together.
Suddenly, Noah felt her opponent's grip mellow and a second later, she has holding White's unanimated body.
She looked at him questioningly and noticed that the side of his head was bleeding.
She looked up at Lou and saw her sister holding White's crutch. Lou had probably aimed straight at the Familiar's temple causing him to faint.
"Nice" Noah said out of breath.
"Bastard" Lou croaked weakly, her entire weight resting on the crutch.
-------------------
Her pace and Zack's were quick, a little too quick for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson; which gave the impression that they were being mistreated: desired effect.
Zack was still wearing his hooded robe and Max had slipped on Thomas' who was now fast asleep in the prisoner's cell. Way to honor the family's name!
From any external eye the scene would've appeared the following: two Familiars hurrying the prisoners across the inner court and out of the castle via the guarded drawbridge.
Yep, that was her number one preoccupation for the moment: the guarded bridge.
Zack was leading and hopefully he had a plan.
"Brother, where are you going with the prisoners?" Beavus or maybe Butthead asked.
"The location has been compromised, we have been ordered to evacuate the prisoners and take them back to HQ" Zack spoke in a successful British accent.
Beavus (Butthead?) seemed to be taking quite some time to think this over and Max held her breath.
"Nobody's warned us"
"Look brother, we're just doing what we're told"
"Who gave you the order?"
"Came directly from White"
-------------------
Ok, let's sum this up.
I have an unable-to-walk X5 clinging at my arm, so climbing is out of the question.
We can't go down because Familiars are all over the place. Chances that we can get back the way I came from are... non existent.
We can't go up, neither can we go down... think positive Noah.
Nights are cold in Northern England and still Noah felt a drop of sweat run along the side of her face. This was not good.
She looked around her, saw the northern east corner tower of the castle and got the craziest idea.
"Hey, guys?" she spoke in her earpiece, "any luck for a diversion here?"
"Hey I'm bored" came Alec's reply.
-------------------
Still wearing his black hooded robe, Alec stretched his arms and cracked his vertebras.
Now we're talking.
He had closely followed Zack's progress in and out of the keep with who he guessed was Max and the Wilsons. They were at the drawbridge and would surely be out in seconds.
He wasn't worried about them, he was even gonna speed things up and turn all the spot lights on him.
That black robe was really itchy when you thought of it, might as well, strip it off.
As he did so, he saw the Familiar guarding the Northern side of the castle give him a funny look.
Alec tilted his head to the side and waved at him. Then, he jumped over the low stone wall and landed softly and quietly in the inner court.
He knew several Familiars had spotted him by now and he rushed towards the drawbridge, knowing they would all follow like nice little doggies.
Zack and Max had gotten past the guards peacefully but he didn't intend to.
The guards weren't looking at the inside of the castle when Alec pushed them out of his way; they had been looking at Zack, Max and the prisoners reaching the border of the forest.
-------------------
Finding out where it hurt most was impossible. Tiny little pricks sent dull, regular flashes of pain in everyone of her limb.
Her entire body felt exhausted, like it had given everything it had to give. And that was a sensation Lou had never experienced in all her years of training.
Noah was talking... but not to her... and not to herself either...
It was something about the northern east corner tower...
Lou felt she was in one big bubble and everything going on around her took quite some time to get through that bubble: Noah's words, her vision which was blurry and even sensations... everything seemed like it was out of time.
Noah was talking again but Lou could only make out a few words: climb... tower, jump... huh?
Noah started making signs... oh, that helped a lot.
Ok, so that was: I climb down the tower and you jump.
Lou would've jumped off a cliff in the dazed state she was in. Was it like this feeling high? She swore herself never to try, but would she even remember that promise?
-------------------
"Alec? What the hell are you doing? You're drawing all the Familiars to us!" Max yelled as soon as Alec joined them in the forest.
"That was the point. Noah asked for a diversion, didn't she?"
"Yeah, well, I got the feeling you're trying too hard. Noah won't be that impressed to know that you got us killed"
"Relax Maxie, everything's under control"
Everything was under control except for the several Familiars rushing out of the castle after the transgenics and the Wilsons.
A physical encounter was now inevitable.
Zack and Max revealed their faces, taking off their hooded robes.
The three of them still benefited from the cover of the trees which allowed them to see their opponents coming without being seen.
The Wilsons were peeping from behind the trees as well but that didn't make them safe one bit. The transgenics were outnumbered and no longer had the advantage of surprise.
Zack stood between Max and Alec, slightly forward. The Familiars were getting closer every second.
"Ok, now we go for plan B"
"Really, I thought Alec blowing up our cover was plan B" Max said sarcastically.
"Oh, come on Max. What was I supposed to do? Dress up and do the hula?"
"You need to learn the difference between 'diversion' and 'being a complete show off'" she snapped never taking her eyes off the Familiars closing up.
"Well what would you have done, your Crankiness? Perhaps you would've-"
"-gone to the girls and the car parked on the east side while you", Zack said pointing at Alec, "get the Wilsons to the second car parked on the west side and then come back and get me"
"What? We're having a communication problem here" Alec frowned.
"We're gonna be experiencing a whole lot more than that if you two don't shut up and get to plan B"
"Plan B which you've never explained to us" Max noted.
"I just did" he said putting himself in a fighting stance, ready to burst out of the forest and beat some Familiar's ass.
"I'm not letting you fight off all those Familiars by yourself" Max complained.
"You don't have a choice. Noah and Lou need your help now"
"There's too many of them, you don't stand a chance"
"Watch me go"
-------------------
Thank god he had been the one to park the car on the west side; otherwise he never would've been able to find it so quickly.
And that would've come as a bit of a problem as the Wilson couple was already panting behind him.
Alec checked that they hadn't been followed as he opened the car's door for Mr. and Mrs. Wilson to get in.
He still had his earpiece on as he sat behind the wheel and started the engine.
"Where's our daughter?" Mrs. Wilson asked.
Those were the first words Alec heard her speak and he was thrown aback by the softness of her voice.
He turned to look at her in the eyes. The Wilsons were probably about fifteen years older than Lou's parents would have been if she hadn't been created in a lab.
But Mrs. Wilson's face, though frowned in worry, showed an extreme indulgence and kindness. The expression he would've pictured on his ideal mother.
"She's with Noah, Max's taking care of them. Don't worry" he said sincerely.
Mrs. Wilson sat back, knowing that the young X5 wouldn't give her any more information and Alec turned the car around in the direction they had come from. Now was time to go get Zack.
Alec knew the guy was strong, stronger than any of them since his last visit in Manticore. They were all genetically enhanced but Zack was less human than any of them, anatomically speaking.
Renfro had made sure of that.
Alec hoped Zack was as strong as all the trangenics believed he was. Sure he had seen the guy in training and it was all rather impressive, but how was he going to fight off nearly twenty Familiars.
Alec stepped on the gas while he caught words spoken by Noah and Max in his earpiece.
"Noah? Where are you guys? I can't get too close, they'll see the car"
"We're not exactly out yet"
"Well where are you?"
"I can't talk right now" Noah paused, "Come on, come on Lou, you can do it, come on"
It sounded like she was encouraging Lou to do something but what?
"Yeah, that's it" Noah said, "Now jump!"
"Noah what are you talking about? I thought you girls were in the northern east corner tower?"
"Jump Lou! Hurry up!" Noah said ignoring Max.
"Noah? Do you have any idea how high that damned tower is? Lou'll split her head open!" Alec said as he understood what Noah was encouraging Lou to do.
Suddenly, he realized the incredibly still atmosphere in the car.
He turned around.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were curled up against one another, looking really pale.
"It's gonna all right. Noah knows what she's doing" he said in forced tense smile, "At least I hope so" he added to himself, turning his attention back to the road.
"Nice to hear you say so" Noah spoke in his earpiece, "I thought you had doubted my judgment for a minute there"
"Me? Doubt you? How could that even cross your mind? How's Lou - oh, never mind, Familiars in sight" Alec said stepping on the gas and running the cult member off the road.
He had reached the side of the forest where he had last seen Zack.
The Familiar flying over the car's roof led Alec to two perspicacious conclusions: one, Zack was still there and two, from now on, Alec would do anything NOT to get on his bad side.
Alec took advantage of his big engine to roll over a few other Familiars. He took an abrupt turn that caused Mrs. Wilson to gasp.
As the car stopped, someone broke the window on Alec's side.
The X5 closed his eyes to protect them from the broken glass as he kicked his car's door open violently, guessing where the Familiar was standing.
The Familiar was propelled backwards and finished his flight into a tree.
"Zack, this party sucks, let's bail!" Alec yelled over the screams.
Zack turned his face at him and nodded.
Next second, X5 599 took a strong left right above the cheek and when he turned to face his adversary, the Familiar held back a gasp of surprise.
The punch had revealed a gray metallic material on Zack's cheek, proof of the experiments Renfro had been running on him.
Alec saw Zack take advantage of his enemy's surprise and snap his neck.
Alec closed the door and started the car once again.
He drove as fast as he could past Zack.
Seconds later, he heard a loud bumping noise on the car's roof, caused by the arrival of a heavy weight.
"Mr. Wilson?" he asked casually never letting his eyes off the road, "Would you be so kind as to open to passenger seat's window please? My two hands are rather full at the moment"
As a matter of fact, Alec was having a hard time, driving as fast as he could and avoiding the many trees in his path at the same time.
As soon as Mr. Wilson fell back in his seat after opening the window, Zack slid down into the passenger's seat heavily.
"Ok, people I've got Zack. How's it going on your side?"
"Perfect. I've got Noah and Lou... each in one piece" Max added.
-------------------
Barely had they stepped foot in Wilson Manor then they were already driving to a hotel. Max booked three hotel rooms and paid with a credit card Logan had given her.
Once they were safe, she picked up the phone and started booking flights for the next day.
"How's she doing?" Zack asked Noah nudging at Lou.
"Well, she'll live... with several broken ribs, a broken arm, a sprained ankle and a hundred and two bruises" Noah weakly smirked.
Lou was laying on one of the beds, her mother holding her hand now that Noah had finished taking care of her baby sister with the little Field Med she knew.
"I booked the flights" Max said hanging up the phone, "Will she be fit to travel tomorrow evening?"
"I dunno" Noah shrugged.
"What's going to happen now?" Lou asked weakly.
"Well, Logan got your parents and William new IDs along with brand new lives. And we're heading home" she concluded.
"I can't go back"
"Why not?"
"Because Lydecker won't want me back"
"You didn't think he was serious, did you? He was just bluffing... to scare you off!" Noah said.
"Besides, he can't go against our will and we want you back" Zack said firmly.
Lou sighed heavily and sadly.
"Don't worry" Alec said sitting on the bed next to her, "The old man will be so glad to have you back, your little argument will be all forgotten"
"I doubt it" Lou said grimly.
"I'd like to thank all four of you for what you've done for our family" Lillian Wilson spoke softly.
Until then, Max hadn't really paid attention to her and she realized that she was far from being an older version of 'Posh X5'. She looked kind and gentle and even... generous. The ideal mother, really. She seemed to be able to bear Lou's every change of mood with a constant and sincere smile.
"Mom, they helped us cuz they're family too"
"You're right honey. They are family" she said looking at each of the X5s, "Anyone of them could've crossed our path instead of you"
"If you lov'em so much, why don't you just adopt'em all?" Lou frowned.
However, Lillian seemed to seriously consider the idea as she looked lost in her thoughts, perhaps imagining Wilson Manor filled with furry little kids.
"Yeah, well I can just picture you with your friends: 'Hi guys! Meet Mole, my distant related lizard-man cousin'. Now wouldn't that just be a moment to immortalize?" Alec scoffed.
"Speaking of human" Mr. Wilson intervened for the first time.
He was rubbing his three day beard; a sign of discomfort.
He finally looked up to Zack and said:
"I really don't mean to be rude but um... what are you exactly?"
Zack's fingers rubbed his cheek at the exact place where the Familiar had revealed the metal that lay beneath his skin.
An awkward silence filled the room and Mr. Wilson thought that, for a retired ambassador, he hadn't shown much diplomacy on that one.
"Well, let's just say that Zack is a soldier, a real one that wasn't afraid to give up his heart twice, literally" Max said touching her chest where she could feel Zack's heart beat, "and then metaphorically" she added smiling at Noah, "Let's just say that when you're with Zack, you know that nothing can ever happen to you"
Mr. Wilson didn't seem to quite get it all, but he remained quiet nonetheless and seemed satisfied with Max's explanation as he nodded.
Zack seemed to look a little embarrassed as all eyes were on him, he grunted something like:
"Well, if that were true, Lou wouldn't be in such a bad state"
The diversion had the effect wanted as all eyes turned on a peacefully sleeping Lou.
"She looks fine to me" Alec smirked still sitting on the side of the bed.
-------------------
End of Chapter
You hated? You loved? It was Ok but at some point something happened that you wouldn't have let happen? You thought this scene was unnecessary?
Praise or flames, whatever may come I take...places her hand on her forehead in what she hopes is a most successful and graceful theatrical sigh