Page 4

Morning came too soon, and the annoying alarm was buzzing in my ear. Before I could react, Madlax reached an arm over me and hit the button, then curled her arm back around me. We'd fallen asleep on top of the covers, in our clothes, while talking.
"I really need a shower. I can't believe I went to bed smelling like smoke from that restaurant." I moved her arm and got up, stretching. She rolled back with a grunt and pulled the comforter over her body.
When I came back from my shower, she was still in bed. I wondered how much sleep she got when she was on one of her assignments. If all that stuff she said was true. I looked at her jacket on the floor, and saw the tip of her gun. Maybe it was true. She certainly didn't act like a criminal, or a crazy person.
I dressed as quietly as I could, glancing at the clock to make sure I was still on time for work.
"Where are my clothes?" she sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Top drawer, the dresser by the closet." I answered, taking a last glance myself in the mirror.
"Thanks for putting them away for me."
I smiled, remembering how I'd almost thrown them out the window after she had left.
"I have to go. Are you going to stay here today?" I sat down at the edge of the bed, putting on my shoes.
"No. But I will be back in time to take you to dinner. Around seven, I think." she said, rolling onto her elbow to look at me. "You said it's good for you to get out, so I'm taking you out."
"Um, thanks." I could feel myself blushing, so I kept my eyes on my shoes.
"You do want to go, don't you?"
"Yes. Yes I do."

Tony leaned in the doorway, rubbing his chin.
"What's with you today? I must have talked to you six times and you just floated by me."
"Oh, nothing really."
Except that I've got some young female special-agent killer living in my apartment, who I think I have a date with tonight, and I'm some sort of re-incarnation or something like that. No, everything is just normal and fine.
"Car problems?"
"No."
"Man trouble?" he grinned.
"I wish." Maybe that would have been simpler, than whatever this was. He came over to my desk and leaned down.
"I could fix that man trouble problem for you." he offered, arching his eyebrows.
"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks." I pushed a pencil at him, backing him away.
"Well if you want to talk about it, I'm here."
"Thanks Tony. But I think I can work this one out myself." And no one would believe me anyway….

"I can't believe I'm doing this. This has to be some sort of dream. Ow." I pinched myself, and did it twice, all the while looking in the mirror. "I hope this dress isn't too tight." I bent over, testing it. The doorbell rang, interrupting my self-scrutiny. I went to the door, trying to quell the nervousness in my stomach. "She's an eighteen year old girl, for crying out loud, Vanessa Anne Renee, get a grip on reality here!" I scolded myself. Feeling more calm, I proceeded to open the door.
"Madlax!" I exclaimed at the sight of her, wearing a low-cut white dress, with matching shoes. With a grin, she reached out an arm from behind her back, and handed me a small bouquet of white roses.
"Trying to make it all match."
"Well, I'm impressed. You look wonderful." I said, taking the roses into the kitchen. "Thank you very much." I placed them in a vase, and brought them out to the coffee table.
"You're welcome very much. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes. Maybe we should take my car instead? I mean, the way we're dressed-" she took my arm and escorted me out the door, shaking her head.
"I think I'd rather take the car that will get us there." she grinned.
"What are you trying to say about my car?"
"Oh, nothing you mechanic hasn't already told you."
"Madlax!"

It was another gorgeous night out as we pulled into the lot, the jeep crackling over the gravel as she looked for a spot to park. I noticed her purse laying in the back, a little too large for her outfit.
"Is your gun in there?"
"Of course." she pulled up the parking brake. "It's always around somewhere."
"I see." I said, stepping out of the jeep. Something gave way under my shoe and I twisted to the ground, crying out as I felt a sharp pain shoot through my ankle. I fought back tears as I grabbed my left ankle, cursing.
"What? What? On no…" Madlax was beside me, her hands going to my ankle as well. Suddenly she scooped me up, and stuffed me back into the jeep. I couldn't say anything, the pain was so severe I just concentrated on trying to breathe normally, and not cry.
"Hospital." she muttered, gravel flying as the jeep jerked backwards.
"I'm sorry. It will be okay." I hissed out from clenched teeth.
"Don't be silly." she growled. I knew she was right, so I leaned back, and let her speed on in silence.

I looked down at the green and white air cast on my ankle. "This really doesn't go with my outfit." I held onto the rail as the parking garage elevator jerked upward. "Ow".
"Well at least it's just a sprain. Two weeks in that should help." The elevator came to stop with a lurch, and I grimaced again. The doors opened and she turned and scooped me up, smiling at my protests.
"You're a stubborn girl, Madlax."
"I'm not the one who refused the crutches." she reminded me. I sighed. "I guess I was a little difficult in there." I looked up at her face, so strong for someone her age. If it wasn't for her appearance I would have assumed her to be much older. Her eyes- it was her eyes. Eyes that had seen the loss of both parents. Eyes that were trained to use a gun to kill. She must not have had much pleasure in her life, and now instead of enjoying dinner, she was carting me around.
"I'm sorry for ruining the evening, Madlax." I said softly, really meaning it. She stopped and looked down at me.
"How could it be ruined? You're right here." she replied just as gently, and I could feel myself starting to blush as she looked down at me. Her intense look made my heart start to beat faster, and I could feel myself holding my breath. Suddenly her eyes widened, her body stiffened, and she looked up.
"Rimelda." she said evenly, as if a guest had arrived. I followed her line of vision and gasped in surprise at the sight of a young woman who looked a lot like me, but dressed like Madlax, in the same military garb. She looked distressed, as if she were ready to cry.
"So it's true." she said sadly, looking at me.
Madlax nodded. The girl stepped forward, clenching a fist. "I don't understand. She's weak. Has no right to use a gun. She's a bother that wasn't worth killing before and here she is again-"
"You killed me?" I blurted out, shocked.
"She was aiming for me." Madlax said quietly.
"And you got in the way. You were always in the way. Always…." her head hung down, in defeat, and she choked out a sob.
"We're going home now." Madlax said gently, walking past her, taking me to the jeep. Without speaking, she helped me in. I kept glancing back at that poor girl, feeling more sorry than afraid. Suddenly she looked up at me, eyes narrowed, and I felt a sudden pain in my side. I gasped out loud, grabbing my waistline.
Madlax gunned the jeep down the ramp. "Your side hurts?"
"Yes." I groaned, feeling the pain start to ease.
"That's where you where shot."
"I can't believe it." I winced, but the pain was very real.
"It happened. I watched you die, Vanessa Renee." her voice was so low, and full of pain, that I felt like crying for her.
The ride home was silent, quiet tears running down our faces.