Spooky: Hey everyone I'm back. Been a while huh? Sorry I guess I've been drawing more than writing lately. Now some of you complained that chapter 10 was a repeat. That is untrue. If you read carefully there's extra detail in there and it's just her and Heero not her and Quatre. If that makes no sense, shrugges deal with it. wicked grin Lately I've felt like writing more so hopefully I'll get new chaps up on everything.

Asar: That's what you said last time.

Spooky: Yeah but last time I didn't have insperation!

Asar: And this time you do?

Spooky: Of course! Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended edition!

Asar: Oh boy…

Spooky: anyway this chaps for…whisper2imaginary

A man with cruel hazel eyes and short slightly messy dark brown hair stood twenty feet from Veronica. She looked around. They were in a field just outside a forest. To her left was the dense dark forest. She turned to her right. There was a two-story log house. It was on the other side of the field, but it seemed so familiar. Then it came to her. That was her aunt's house. She was on her aunt's ranch. Several people were standing on the house's wrap around deck. Veronica couldn't tell who they were, but they seemed to be yelling. Calling for someone, but she couldn't hear them.

That was when she noticed the storm. The clouds were demon black and the wind roared ferociously. Yet Veronica couldn't feel the wind. Everything around her was being whipped by the wind, but she felt no wind. The man didn't seem to feel it either, and it was eerily silent.

Veronica turned back to the man. He was wearing a white button up shirt with a collar and kaki pants. He looked so familiar. Then the man smiled. It was an evil wicked smile. A smile she knew all too well.

"Bren," whispered Veronica.

"Come back," said Bren. His voice was sweet, but there was a darker undertone. "Come back to where you belong."

"Never!" growled Veronica.

"Don't resist." Bren's smile didn't look evil anymore; it looked understanding. "You know you don't belong with them. It's too dangerous. You belong with the other kids like you. With us."

"You mean I'd belong to you, not with you. You own people," said Veronica bitterly.

Bren's smile faltered for an instant. He recovered quickly, but Veronica had seen it. She had hit him where it hurt.

Even though DC Corp. kidnapped kids, subjected them to daily tests, and even beat a few, Bren did not think of it as slavery. Oh no, Bren did not "own" people. He was firmly against slavery. The kids got to wander the compound, eat what they wanted, listen to music, read, write, and talk freely. Even when Veronica got beat she wasn't chained down, she could fight back. She had even broken Bren's arm once. But Veronica thought that being held against your will was, in a sense, still slavery.

"I'll never come willingly," said Veronica.

"You will, eventually."

The smugness in his voice made Veronica want to scream. "You kidnapped my parents, my brother, you betrayed me, then you beat me!" she yelled at him. "I'll never come willingly!"

Bren's smile faded. "I think you will," he said coldly.

He reached into the bushes and pulled something out. Veronica gasped when she saw what it was. It was her best friend, Mike.

His black hair was ragged and clumped with dirt. His black tee shirt and jeans were covered in mud, dirt, and blood. His feet were bare and bloody, his face was smeared with dirt, sweat, and blood, and his silver eyes were huge with fear.

"Veronica," whispered Mike.

Veronica stood there horrified, unable to move.

Bren pulled a gun out of nowhere. He put it to Mike's head. "Say goodbye to your friend." He pulled the trigger. The gunshot rang out loud and clear.

"MIKE!" Veronica screamed.

Veronica sat bolt upright in bed, still screaming.

Veronica! Veronica it was just a dream! The voice rang through her head with crystal clarity.

She reached out with her mind. Pepper?

Yeah, it's me.

Veronica opened her eyes. The lights were on medium; she blinked against the light. Pepper jumped into her lap.

You had me worried for a minute there, he said.

"I'm sorry," said Veronica. She leaned back against the wall. She was burning up and the cool metal felt good. "It was one of the worst nightmares I've ever had."

Was it a premonition or just a dream?

"I'm not sure. It was at aunt Rosa's ranch in the middle of a storm and Mike was there. But…"

What? What's wrong?

"Bren was there, he shot Mike." Veronica closed her eyes.

Let's hope it's just a dream, said Pepper.

"What time is it?"

Nine-thirty.

"Damn it, I was supposed to be up an hour ago." Veronica jumped out of bed; Pepper fell onto the floor.

Hey, watch it!

"Sorry!" said Veronica as she grabbed some cloths. "I'm going to the showers! Later!"

An hour later, after breakfast, Veronica ran down the hall. She used her psychic powers to open the door to the shuttle bay, and ran through. She crashed into something.

"Hey, take it easy," said Duo.

Veronica looked up. Duo had one of his big goofy grins on his face. He was the only person she knew who smiled like that. And his strange violet-blue eyes sparkled with friendship. Veronica's gut turned over like the night before with Quatre. The feeling that she wasn't supposed to be there welled up in her heart again. She shook off the feeling.

Veronica looked around. The boys Duo, Quatre, Heero, Trowa, and Wufei, were standing on the platform in the docking bay. Darkstar stood docked behind them. Veronica thought she sensed eagerness in her metallic friend. She was also eager to get back into space, back into the fight. But she sensed reluctance and worry from Quatre, and a little from the others. She wanted to stay and be with Quatre. But she also wanted to go fight.

"I…guess we'll meet you at the refueling station," said Quatre.

Veronica half walked, half floated over to him. "Right." She gave a small smile, but there was no hope in her eyes.

Quatre held her gaze and searched. For what Veronica didn't know, maybe hope. If only…. Veronica let the thought trail off. It was too late to talk now. Later, later she would have time.

Quatre leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was quick, but held tons of emotions. Veronica couldn't help it, she felt like crying. She grabbed Quatre and pulled him into a fierce hug. Quatre held her tightly.

"Stay safe, 'kay?" Quatre whispered into her ear.

"I will," she whispered back.

Veronica pulled away and said goodbye to everyone. Then she pushed off and floated over to Darkstar. As she walked in, Darkstar powered up. Veronica went over and sat in the control chair. She buckled the harnesses and grabbed the controls. She watched as the boys walked through the door. As the bay depressurized Veronica went through the programs, making sure everything was working.

"Don't worry. Everything's fine," said Darkstar.

"Just double checking," muttered Veronica.

She gripped the controls tighter as the bay door opened. Veronica's face broke into a smile. There was a mischievous undertone to the smile. The thought of being free and flying through the stars made her heart race with excitement.

"Here we go," said Veronica softly. Her voice was tinged with excitement.

Veronica pushed the controls forward. Darkstar shot out of the docking bay like a bat out of hell. Veronica paused a moment to get her bearings then they were off.

The boys took off in two shuttles five minutes after Veronica did. Quatre had told her to hang back if she got there first. So they could explain things to Sally. He didn't want Sally to "freak out", as Duo had put it. But he doubted Sally would freak out. She was too sensible.

Spooky: Oi that was a lot. Hee, hee hopefully my next chapter will be just as long! Remember I'll only update if you review!

Asar: Yeah it keeps her reminded that she has stories here.

Spooky: Shut up.

Asar: 'Till next time.