Hey everyone! I apologize in advance for there not being any T/K interaction in this chapter. I just love making you guys go nuts as I drag this out! Jk, the real reason I'm making their relationship go so slowly is, well, it really isn't. I mean, it may seem like it taking years to happen, it's really only a few weeks. And, it's gonna take time any ways since they're just getting to know each other. Oh, I just wrote a whole paragraph! Um, here's the story! Hehe
disclaimer: I don't even own a working tread-mill, let alone a copy righted video game
Mr. Brightside
Chapter 13
Move It
"Hey daddy! How's it going?"
Samos looked up from his book to see his only daughter bounce, yes bounce, in the doorway. He had headed back to their apartment to rest a bit a little while after talking to her.
When she had said she and the commander were going out to lunch, he'd been surprised. For weeks she'd seemed so depressed and pale – well, paler than usual. All because of that idiotic boyfriend of hers.
It was a nice change to see a smile on her face, although it was odd that she'd taken a liking to the commander. He liked the boy, quite a bit actually. He was very responsible and always gave his elders the respect they deserved. It was always 'Sir', not any of those names that orange imbecile came up with. And he was very smart and a good leader too. He really did like the boy.
But his daughter was kind and sweet and he was so...serious. It just didn't seem to match up. Not that they were dating or anything. Precursors no! Just getting better acquainted was all.
"Hello dear, did you have a good lunch? You seem to be in a good mood."
She smiled at him as she unlaced her boots. "It was great!"
The old sage couldn't help himself. "Really? The commander doesn't seem like the type you'd usually have such a nice time with."
"Torn? Naw! He's actually really funny once you get to know him!"
Samos looked amused. "That boy having a sense of humor? What a concept!" his eyes widened, "Oh, I've just remembered! Tonight I have a meeting with a man who owns a tree farm just east of Haven. The new layout of the city calls for trees in some of the parts. I was asked to try and make a deal with him. The meeting is around six and will probably go on until later. Will you be alright while I'm gone?"
She rolled her eyes, but smiled. Fathers! "Of course! Besides, I'm going out dancing with Tess around eight, so I'll probably get home later than you."
"Dancing?" His expression turned stern, "I gather there will be young men there?"
"Um, yeah, there'll be some guys where we're going," she replied cautiously. You have be careful around an over protective father.
"Kiera, you know I don't like when you go out where there is boys."
"Daddy! I'm seventeen years old!" she said, putting a small hand to her forehead. Honestly!
"I know dear, but those boys can be shifty. Why can't you girls go see a movie or something else like that? I can't rest with knowing my only little girl might have men getting fresh with her!"
Come on dad, movies are no fun! Besides some of the girls from HQ are going too."
The old man sighed. "Well, I can't argue that Torn hasn't trained them well. I guess it's alright if you go, just be careful."
"Given," she told him and gave him a kiss on the top of his head, trying to avoid the moss growing. " Now I need to go get some work done in the garage."
He shook his head as she took off through the door. No wonder his hair was white!
/T/
Dang, he was out of eraser. Again! He needed to concentrate on the new prison in East Haven, not what had just happened!
'She smelled really good.'
'Not listening!'
'Like apples.'
'One ward will be able to hold over 1700 prisoners!'
'Her lips were really nice too.'
'Lalalalala, I can't hear you!'
'Nice and soft and peach colored –'
–Smack!--
The commander of the FL smacked his head against his table lamp in an effort to drown out the voices that were almost constant companions these days. This seemed to work, but now he saw two piles of paper work instead of one.
'Stupid papers. Stupid deal. Stupid kiss!' 'Nice kiss.' 'No, not nice kiss! Illegal kiss!'' Nice illegal kiss!'
Torn sighed. They were at it again. He definitely needed to see a doctor. Right now, he needed to torture himself with paper work for being such a... perv? No. Skeez? Nope. What was he feeling so guilty about? Liking the kiss?
'Bingo!'
Okay, so yeah, it was a nice kiss. A sweet, confusing, little kiss. It was obvious she didn't mean anything by it, she'd been happy and wanted to say thanks. And he would've accepted it as a nice thank you and let it be if it hadn't made him feel so...funny. Not the 'aww how sweet she gave me a kiss' funny. The 'good lord you stupid voice, I could get arrested for that!' funny.
"Looks like it's going to be a long night," he told himself with a sigh.
/AJ/
"What the hell was that!"
The red head was almost literally foaming at the mouth.
"I don't know, Ash," the blonde man answered her quietly. He was staring at the floor in her office, eerily silent. "Looks to me like that bitch really is going out with Torn."
He looked up at her with a fire in his eyes, a black fire, one that normally scared him. But right now he welcomed it. He all of a sudden roughly grabbed the governess and slammed his mouth to hers. She didn't put up any fight, not that it mattered. He needed revenge and he'd get it. She would pay for that kiss.
/K/
"What should I do with my hair snuggles?"
Kiera was standing in front of the mirror in her underwear, talking to a rather menacing looking cactus. Her father had left about an hour ago and she'd just gotten out of the shower. She ruffled her damp emerald locks a few times and tapped her bottom lip with her small index finger.
"Snugs, I think I need a new hair style. Maybe some more layers. I mean, I've had my hair the same way since I was thirteen."
She glanced over at her plant in its little sombrero shaped pot, as though the was expecting a response. Then she shook her head and said, "I've been spending way too much time with daddy lately."
She padded into her bathroom and ran some styling cream through her hair. The result was a slightly spikier 'do. With her hair done, she examined her alabaster complexion and decided it was time for a little make up.
She never really wore make up, especially not day to day. It would take too much time and get messed up while she worked any ways, so she spared herself the hassle. Secretly though, she'd love to wear it everyday. It made her look different, more mature. On a whim one day, she bought an onyx liner a the drug store. After a little practice, and a lot of racoon eyes, she'd gotten the hang of putting it on. The only problem was you can't just start wearing make up one day, it's just not how it works. That and her dad would probably flip.
Carefully, she lined her upper and lower eyelids, trying to keep the line as straight as possible. She winged the edges out a little bit for some flare. When she was done, she blinked and looked back at her reflection. Hmm, not bad. Her eyes definitely looked bigger and brighter, even more so than usual. Add a little peach lip gloss and her make up was done. Now she needed to choose an outfit.
The slender girl walked back out into her very red bedroom, towards her closet. Opening up the door, her vision was assaulted by a montage of different colours. Most of her clothes were work clothes, stained or ripped with patches on them.
'I should go shopping for a few new things soon, I need a new bra any ways. Dare I say, it feels a little too small.'
She sorted through the selection, shaking her head or shrugging her shoulders when she came across certain pieces. Finally, she picked out a denim mini and a crimson tank top with pretty silver beading across the top.
"This will work," she said out loud.
She slipped them on and grabbed a pair of low-healed black sandals and a pair of dangly silver chandelier earrings Tess had gotten her. The girl looked one more time before smiling and going into her living room to wait.
/NS/
"So Kiera, is it true that you and Jak are officially over?"
The petite girl looked over at the asker of this question, a particularly nasally bleach blonde named Leslie, and raised an eyebrow.
"Yes actually, we broke up a couple of weeks ago."
"Really?" another girl Peara, who had bright orange pig tails, gasped mockingly, "But why?"
A few of the older girls traded sly glances; what would the little mechanic say?
"We just grew apart," Kiera told them bluntly. She knew exactly what these girls were trying to do: upset her. She couldn't wait till they got to the club, at least there she could dance.
If it wasn't for the dancing, she'd never had come, not even for Tess. These girls were so superficial. They wore less clothing than Ashelin and were just as bitchy. At least the governess had a brain.
"Guys..." Tess warned. Sometimes these girls could get a little rough.
"Lighten up Tess, we're just curious!"
"Yeah, besides, we're here!"
Kiera almost sighed in relief at the sight of their destination: Cerboniface. She could hear the loud pounding of the music and instantly felt calmer. She loved to dance. They got in the line, that was thankfully short, and entered the dark club. She wanted very badly to get moving, but the others 'insisted' she get a drink with them.
They sat down at the bar to order drinks. The conversation soon turned over to work. Kiera pretty much spaced out until a particular snatch of their conversation caught her attention.
"Oh gods, Torn is so incredibly sexy!"
"I know! Could his voice be any hotter?"
"I heard he has an eight pack!"
"Ask Kiera, she knows."
All the girls looked incredulously as the mechanic, who was glaring at a smirking Tess.
"What does she mean 'you know'?" asked Leslie, her already squinty eyes narrowing.
"Well, Torn and I were on a mission together once, and he, um, had to take his shirt off. I, uh, caught a glimpse of a really nice eight pack when he did," Kiera told the eager girls while trying not to blush.
"Oh, that reminds me, how did your lunch together go?"
Kiera looked suspiciously at the blonde. She was up to something...
"Wait, you went out to lunch with Torn! Like a date!" all the girls, minus Tess who was trying not to laugh, glared at Kiera.
She blushed heavily. "It wasn't a date!"
Peara smirked. "I guess you're right. I mean, he's soo not your type. What could you two possible have in common?"
The others relaxed, rolling their eyes in agreement. Kiera had to fight with herself not to tell them about her and Torn's agreement. She wanted to surprise everyone though, so she kept her mouth shut.
"Look, I'm here to dance. You guys have fun comparing STD's, I'm outta here."
She left before any of them could think of a good comeback. She'd have to apologize to Tess later, but those girls just got on her nerves. Finally, she made it to the dance floor. Perfect.
/NS/
"I'll take a mudslide please."
Kiera had been dancing for 45 minutes straight and needed a break. Her forehead was shiny with sweat and her legs were getting heavy from fatigue. She sat down at the bar, reveling in the cushion on the high stool.
Around her, bodies moved to the beat of the song playing. Hips knocking, arms swinging, and heads bobbing, they all seemed surreal to her. Soon she'd join them again.
"One mudslide."
The emerald haired girl looked back at the bar and saw what seemed to be something like a milkshake. The swirls of chocolate and cookies looked delicious, especially with the whipped cream on top. She took a sip and was immediately in heaven. Torn was too right.
Her thoughts drifted to the commander. She couldn't believe she'd kissed him. It wasn't like she'd jumped his bones or anything, it was just a kiss on the cheek. Hardly more than she gave her father really. Except when she kissed her father it never felt like that. Limbs numb, cheeks flushed. There was a heat in her abdomen she couldn't explain, something she rarely felt. She went light headed whenever she breathed in his scent, a deep cinnamon aroma mixed with sweat. Every time she was near him, a voice inside her head said things, things that made her temperature rise. This part of her thrived on his scent, his gorgeous body, his voice...Oh, his voice! So deep and husky, the perfect mixture of harsh and soft. Just the thought brought back that feeling.
She shook her head and finished her drink. She couldn't believe she was getting off at the thought of his voice! Yeah, she totally thought it was the hottest thing she'd ever heard, but come on! She was seventeen, not thirteen! She walked back out onto the dance floor in an attempt to get him out of her mind.
/ec/
I made this one extra long since there wasn't a lot of romance. There's probably only going to be a few more chapters in this story before I start the sequel. R&R