Hello again!
I hope that you will enjoy this chapter as well.
Fact #2: I watched almost every interview made by the cast to make sure that I made the characters as canon as possible in my fiction. (They did have answers that the movies hadn't.)
Enjoy your reading!
Pavs.
Chapter Seven: The Ride Will Take a While
[Gabrielle]
I was almost done with my bag when I heard footsteps behind me.
''You know I can walk just fine,'' I said, and I heard Tool's laughter.
''You're just as stubborn as your dad,'' he replied, and I turned to see him smile at me.
He then took my bag, and we went downstairs. When Tool had called to offer me to stay at his place until the others came back, I thought it would be great not to be alone. I wasn't out of the woods, but I really did want to make efforts to feel better, and being alone wasn't the best idea at the moment. Besides, I wanted to get to know him more.
I had still this weird feeling about all of them hiding something big from me, the lack of information and clear discomfort about their job being my biggest clue. After that came the way my father told me goodbye like he might never see me again. We got to Tool's place, and he put my things into the room next to Gunnar's.
''You officially have a room here now. I know I already told ya, but make yourself at home. And well, you know where I am if there's something wrong. I am on 24/7 if you've got any problems, you hear me?'' Tool said, and I hugged him.
''Thanks a lot, Tool,'' I said before he let me go.
''So, love, we cooking or we calling?'' he asked.
''You can cook?'' I asked playfully, and he laughed.
''That's it, you're coming with me,'' he replied, and I followed him to his apartment on the third floor.
It was a big open space loft. The door leading to the bathroom was on the right while the kitchen was on the left. The brick walls were covered with paintings, drawings and old music posters. Behind the kitchen was a couch facing a TV, and I could see a king size bed partially hidden behind a massive bookcase. There was no dining room, so I took a seat at the counter while Tool started to make dinner.
''You want a beer?'' he asked while taking one, but I declined.
''I don't like it. I like the better stuff,'' I replied, making him smile.
''Now that's what I am talking about,'' he crowed while putting back his beer in the fridge, switching it for a whiskey bottle and two glasses.
[Barney's Santa Plane]
They were almost there when Church contacted them to warn them that their contact was…indisposed. Lee sighed and went to the back of the plane to call Tool. Still no service. He swore under his breath and took the phone hooked up to the plane's system. The call went on speaker, and Lee thought that Barney ought to stop buying shitty planes. He heard someone pick up the phone and talked.
''Hey Tool, look we got to…'' he began before he got interrupted.
''Christmas!'' Gabrielle exclaimed with an enthusiasm that made him suspicious.
They weren't on bad terms, but they didn't talk that much either, especially with that much enthusiasm.
''Hey, hum, where's Tool?'' Christmas asked.
''Downstairs, digging through his stash, I think…'' Gabrielle answered.
''His stash?'' Lee echoed, and then he realized. '' You two have been drinking.''
One look at the others and he saw a wave of amusement flowing through the group.
''Wow, Tool is not afraid of Barney,'' Hale laughed.
''I am Canadian, Hale; I've been drinking for a while now,'' Gabrielle laughed.
''You're drunk, aren't you?'' Toll asked.
''No…I am very drunk.'' Gabrielle admitted, and they laughed.
''Bloody hell," Lee muttered.
''Say that again Christmas?'' Gabrielle asked.
''I said bloody hell,'' Christmas replied a little louder.
''Ooh again, I love your accent,'' she giggled, and Lee froze as he felt a wave of heat hitting his cheeks.
''Where's Tool, I need to talk to him,'' Lee said, changing the subject.
''Alright I am here, I'm here,'' Tool said, and they realized she'd put them on speaker too.
They heard a click and the echo disappeared.
''Can I help you?'' he asked with an amused tone.
''We need a hand; the contact has changed. Church sent you his info," Lee explained.
''Say that again, I love your accent,"' Tool teased while the others laughed.
''Fuck off will ya!'' Lee said angrily, and they heard Tool's laughter before he hung up.
Lee returned to the cockpit and to his seat.
''So, he's on it?'' Barney asked, and Lee nodded.
''He better be,'' Lee growled, and Barney offered him an amused smile.
''If it's any consolation, I like your accent too,'' Barney laughed.
'' Screw you,'' Lee shot back before he laughed too.
[Tool's]
''So, you like Christmas's accent?'' Tool said to Gabrielle, and she laughed.
She hadn't had a drink in a while, which Tool noticed while they ate. They'd slow down a bit since he didn't want her to get sick.
''Yeah, I do, but he treats me like a child. Or a ticking bomb,'' she said.
''Don't worry, he as that affect on everybody. Except Barney, he's more like his wife,'' Tool replied, and Gabrielle smiled.
She took a bottle of water from the fridge and went to sit next to him on the couch. She was taking a sip when Tool spoke again.
''And with Gunnar?'' he asked, and she choked on it.
She managed to breathe normally again, but Tool could see that she still hesitated to talk to him.
''I…I don't know how to explain it,'' she finally said. '' It's like I just know that I am safe with him, that I can trust him…''
There was a moment of silence, and Tool found himself having flashbacks about the times he had to help Gunnar. Then he had some about Gabrielle bleeding on her bed. He knew that Gunnar could help, but just like Barney, he also knew that things could get bad very quickly.
''He's not the only one I trust you know?'' she said in a voice so low that it sounded almost like a whisper. ''I know that I haven't talked to you about it much, but I never stopped being thankful that you saved me. And with all you help and support, I…I feel like I owe you in a way.''
''You owe me nothing,'' Tool said with so much sincerity that Gabrielle believed him without hesitation.
Still, she knew she'd always feel that way.
''Of course, I do,'' she replied, her voice shaking. ''I tried to make peace with the fact that it wasn't my fault and that you chose to defend me. I really do try to get better. And those art lessons, it really helps. Nobody ever took the time to teach me something their passion, to share something with me. You did, and even though I still struggle to talk about my feelings, I know that one day I'll be ready and that you're going to be there.''
Tool could feel the tears in his eyes. She was so sincere, so vulnerable and full of love, he was speechless.
''I never felt like that, like I belong somewhere and it means so much to me,'' she said while tears were rolling down her cheeks.
She then looked at him straight in the eyes and added: ''Thank you so much, Tool.''
Gabrielle tried to wipe her tears, and he took her in his arms. She cried a little harder, and he closed his eyes.
''I promise you Gabrielle, for as long as I breathe, you'll always be safe and at home with me,'' Tool whispered.
She thanked him again, and he held her until she fell asleep.
.
She woke up to the sound of Creedence Clearwater and the apartment smelling like coffee and bacon. She tried to open her eyes and swore. Tool laughed, and she saw him plating eggs and bacon for her.
''I could've sleep on the couch,'' she said while getting up to join him in the kitchen.
''I've known worse sweetheart,'' Tool replied with a smile.
His phone rang, and she saw his smile vanish when he looked at it. She frowned but still ate her breakfast while he went out to talk in private with the caller. When she saw that he wasn't coming back any time soon, she went back to sleep in her room.
[Yang]
''I double checked the info Christmas sent me, and he was right. The whole mission is compromised,'' Yang said while looking at his screen.
Tool sighed.
''Were you still on your way to New Orleans?'' Tool asked.
''Yes, but I can go and join them,'' Yang replied.
''Don't. I know someone who's going to be able to help, but I have a feeling he won't do it unless I am there myself,'' Tool explained before adding: ''I do have a favor to ask you.''
''What do you need?'' Yang asked.
''Gabrielle's at my house and was supposed to stay until Barney was back. Can you make sure she's ok? She seems better, but I want to make sure that she's not alone if she relapses or if something goes wrong.''
''I can do that, although I am not sure how she will react to me,'' Yang agreed.
''Yeah, I know it's far from ideal. I'll talk to her about it so she won't be too surprised to see you.'' Tool promised. '' And remember, she doesn't know anything.''
The line went dead, and Yang looked at the time. He was hoping that Tool knew what he was doing because he'd be meeting Gabrielle in less than three hours.
[Tool's]
Tool had had the time to pack his things and put them in his truck by the time Gabrielle came back from her nap.
''Are you ok?'' she asked, and he almost jumped off his chair from fright. ''Sorry, I thought you heard me coming.''
''No harm done, I was just thinking,'' Tool said, rubbing his neck anxiously. ''We, um, need to talk.''
She looked at him, and he could see that she was worried. He motioned for her to sit down, and she did.
''I have a friend who was supposed to spend some time here. His name is Yin Yang.'' Tool said and she now looked confused. '' He'll be here in about an hour now I believe. The problem is that your father needs my help and that I have to leave in thirty minutes so I don't miss my flight.''
''Is he ok?'' she asked, and he nodded.
''Yeah, don't worry, sweetheart,'' Tool said, a bit mad at himself for the lie. ''Do you have your phone?''
''Yes," she nodded before she unlocked it and gave it to him.
He entered some new contacts and gave it back.
''As I said, you are always welcome here. Here's a set of keys. If you need anything, Yang will help,'' Tool explained, and she took the keys with a surprised look on her face.
He smiled at her, and she looked back at her phone.
''Trench?'' she asked, and Tool couldn't stop the amused smile from appearing on his face.
The smile was gone soon when he remembered why he gave her his number.
'' If you have an emergency and no one answers, call him. He's a friend to both your father and I, even though Barney doesn't admit it. We've known each other for at least a century, and I am sure he'll help you. If he can't, call Booker. To be honest, I haven't seen him in years, and I don't know where he is, but he's reliable. And…well I hope you don't have to get that far but…''
Gabrielle felt herself tensing up at his hesitation. The whole thing felt way more serious than it should.
''If…if it's a matter of life or death and no one answers, you call these numbers,'' Tool added.
Gabrielle saw that one was a nickname and the other simply was a number. She frowned.
''Life or death? Who is this? What's happening Tool?'' she demanded, and he cursed Barney for not telling her.
''You don't need to know. Just promise me you won't call unless you need to,'' Tool said, and when she accepted, he hugged her. '' Don't worry, Gabrielle, we'll be back before you get bored.''
She returned the embrace for a while before letting him go.
''Take care of yourself ok?'' she asked.
''Ok,'' he answered before he went to his truck. She watched him with a worried look on her face.
[Gabrielle]
I was sitting in front of the television without really looking at it. There was something going on, and I needed to know what. I felt my phone buzzing and saw a text message.
''You can borrow my books if you want'' – Toll
''Tool told you, didn't he?'' -Gabrielle
''Well, he is coming to join us.'' -Toll
''Thank you''- Gabrielle
''Will you tell Christmas that I am sorry, I was a bit drunk.'' -Gabrielle
''No. It was hilarious. (Hale)'' -Toll
''You won't let us forget it?'' -Gabrielle
''Never. (Hale)''-Toll
''Okay sweetie.'' -Gabrielle.
''Wow, you have a way with words. I like your style.'' -Toll
I laughed, of course I'd always had a way with words. It had been a while since I had used it though.
''Are you sure you can talk to me? Tool told me you had a situation at work.'' -Gabrielle
''We are waiting for him. Don't worry, we're good.'' -Toll
''Ok.'' -Gabrielle
''Wait, I think Yang just arrived. Is it him?'' -Gabrielle
I had sent a picture to make sure. I didn't want to admit it, but my conversation with Tool had shaken me a little.
''Yeah, it's him. Take care Gabe.'' -Toll
''You too.'' -Gabrielle
I put my phone back in my pocket as Yin Yang entered the shop.
''You must be Gabrielle?'' he asked, and I nodded. ''You have your father's eyes.''
''Thank you,'' I replied, hesitantly.
He smiled at me, and I tried to relax a little.
''Um, are you hungry mister Yang? I was about to have lunch," I offered.
''It will be my pleasure to join you, but only if you call me Yang. The 'mister' makes me feel unnecessarily old,'' he answered, and my smile was suddenly more genuine.
[Yang]
Gabrielle didn't talk much, just as he expected. She did make an effort to have a civilized conversation, which had turned into a more interesting one once she started to ask about where he came from and his history. He was glad that they had switched to those subjects, especially since he couldn't answer half of her questions when it came to his job or present occupation. He offered to clear the table and went to his temporary room to unpack.
[Gabrielle]
Yang seemed nice enough even though he didn't share much about himself. Not that I blamed him, but I'd only rarely seen someone avoid so many simple questions. I was on my way to get some pencils and sheets when I saw that the office door had been left open.
I knew I shouldn't, but Tool's instructions haunted me, and I had the strange feeling that Yang's strange behavior was connected to them somehow.
I entered the office and opened one of the computers. Password required…I sighed. My gaze lingered on the desk drawers, and I opened the first one. My heart missed a beat when I saw a loaded gun next to a set of keys. I turned around and looked at the filing cabinet and decided that at this point, I might as well go all the way.
I searched for the right key, opened a drawer and took a file. I started to read it and felt the world crashing around me. I knew there was something off, but this…
Nothing could have prepared me for this.
[Yang]
He'd gone back to the first floor and saw no signs of Gabrielle. He was about to go and look for her when he noticed that the door leading to the office was wide open. He prepared himself and went to look inside, only to find her sitting at the table with a bunch of files open in front of her.
She looked pale. She was shaking a little, and he felt his pulse racing. He shouldn't be the one to take care of this. She shouldn't have learned it that way. Barney and Tool should've been here to contain the damage done. Yang knew full well that social interactions weren't his forte, not when it was this personal anyway.
He approached her slowly but loudly so he wouldn't startle her. She looked up and pointed the emergency gun that Tool kept here on him. He stopped, putting his hands up and waited for her to speak.
''Why are you really here?'' she asked, and he barely held a sigh.
''Barney and Tool were worried about leaving you alone after your panic attack,'' he answered truthfully.
'' Oh yeah, they worried about me so much that they lied to me,'' she spat while pushing a file towards him.
He instantly recognized the photo. It was Tool's last mission. He could be seen shaking hands with a CIA agent while covered in blood beside an equally bloody Barney.
He sat in front of her and said nothing.
''I am well aware that I am not the best person to talk to you about this, but if you have any questions, I may have answers,'' Yang offered, and she finally put the gun down.
''What do you do exactly?'' she asked, and he sighed.
It was going to be a long day.
[Gabrielle]
I was still looking at the files. I hadn't slept that night because of all the information Yang had given me. I was on the overthinking mode. He had explained to me exactly what their job was, and everything he told me was consistent with what I'd read in the files.
They were mercenaries who killed bad guys and saved hostages. They'd been in the army at some point in their life. Toll hadn't lied about that…not completely, and Gunnar…I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks. I trusted him. I trusted them, I…
I looked at my scars, they were red and just healed enough so I didn't have to put bandages on them at all times. I had a breakdown because I thought that…I had made Tool kill…no, this was still something I felt guilty about, and he had tried to tell me it was ok…
I closed my eyes and took a deep, deep breath. They'd been lying to me…but to protect me. But they had lied to me. I heard Yang coming in, and I looked at him.
''You should try and get some sleep. You still are safe here,'' Yang said with a soft voice.
He looked worried. It was then that it hit me. I still hadn't gone out running for my life. I still felt safe here. I then remembered all the conversations, the help, the support and they just… they'd taken care of me.
''You're right I…I'll see you later,'' I said before I took the gun and went to my room.
I put it under my pillows and closed my eyes, but sleep didn't come.
[Yang]
The days had transformed into weeks, and Gabrielle still spent her time looking at the files. She'd talk to him a little more every day, but not that much, and it was always work related. It took about six days for her to stop carrying the gun around, although he suspected that she slept with it. Barney would hate it.
Even though Yang didn't agree with him on not telling her, he understood why, and he feared his reaction to that new habit of hers, not that he could blame her. In fact, part of him was impressed by her line of thinking and the fact that she armed herself instead of running. That took real courage, there was no denying it.
On day 14, he was sitting at the desk in the office when she entered. She was wearing her leather jacket and boots. He frowned.
''I was hungry and felt like going to the grocery store,'' she explained, and he looked at her with questions in his eyes. '' I figured fresh air could help, so do you need anything while I am out?''
''No, thank you,'' he replied, and she left quickly.
He sighed and looked at the screen again. Someone had to make sure that the guys weren't being followed.
[Barney's Santa Plane]
Barney looked at the sky, feeling more tired than ever. The mission had been much more brutal than what they'd anticipated. Toll and Gunnar had makeshift stitches (Gunnar on his hairline and Toll on his right cheek), Lee and Hale had scratches all over them, Barney looked like he had been run over by a tank, and Tool…Tool had been shot.
He was stable, but his arm was fucked for a couple of weeks at least. And no one dared to tell him, but they were going back home to Gabrielle, and there would be no hiding it from her. He landed the plane, and they got the stock out and in the hangar. Hale and Lee had done most of the job and had gone back to their respective homes. Barney helped Tool into his truck and started the engine. They had to face Gabrielle, and he wasn't ready. He saw Gunnar and Toll pass before him and followed them.
They arrived at Tool's and saw Yang finishing a glass of liquor. Barney felt his stomach drop. Yang did not drink.
''Where's Gabrielle?'' Gunnar asked.
[Gabrielle]
I ended up leaving the store without buying anything. I couldn't focus, no matter what I did. Part of me was pissed off, but the other part could understand more and more why they did it.
I wondered what was going to happen now that I knew. How was I going to react next time they would have to leave? Was I even going to stay? I was about to go mad with all those unanswered questions when I was Barney's truck in front of the tattoo parlor. I slowed down and saw them facing Yang.
''Where's Gabrielle?'' Gunnar asked before he saw Yang looking at me.
I stopped breathing altogether when he turned to face me. He had bruises, scratches and a deep cut on his hairline. All of my questions and anger vanished when I saw his state and the fear in his eyes. I suddenly felt the same way I did when I first saw the sadness in his eyes while he helped me with my wounds.
''I…''he began, but he stopped when I got closer to him.
I touched his face lightly close to his cut before he looked at me straight in the eyes.
''Are you alright?'' I found myself asking in a whisper.
''I am fine,'' he replied, and for some reason, his answer made me turn to face the others.
I saw my father had bruises too and a black eye. Toll had wounds similar to Gunnar's and Tool… I almost ran to him and helped him sat on a chair.
''Tool…Yang, go get the kit,'' I ordered with a shaking voice.
He did as I asked, and I began to undo Tool's bandages. It was bleeding even more without the pressure on it. I took the gloves that Yang gave me. I put them on, and I saw the worried look on Tool's face. I removed the last part of the bandages and couldn't stop the tears when I saw his gunshot wound.
He had saved my life, and he was wounded, almost mortally so.
''Gabrielle,'' my father said, and I realized that everybody had moved around us and was looking at me.
I turned to Yang to see that he'd put everything I needed to help Tool on a stool beside us.
''Go get my father some ice please,'' I instructed, and he nodded before he went.
It must have been hurting; my dad was hurting. My dad who'd taken me in without asking anything in return. Toll who had shared his therapist with me and his time. Gunnar who'd helped me so many times and whom I…
I turned to my father once again.
''I know,'' I said with a soft voice.
I then focused on healing Tool. It killed me to see him like that.
''You didn't lock the office,'' I told him while I washed his wound. ''Sorry, this might hurt.''
Tool hissed, and I tried to be gentler.
''I didn't want you to find out like that,'' Barney confessed.
''I know. Yang explained some things to me while you were gone and I…well I read the rest,'' I said while finishing to close up the wound.
I then covered it and looked at Tool.
''Are you… you're going to be ok, right?'' I asked Tool while my sobs were getting harder and harder to contain.
''I will, I promise,'' Tool said while taking my hand, and I took a deep breath.
''I think…I'll be ok too. I realize that's its more complicated than that, but from what I understand I am not the only one you saved and…It's a lot to take in,'' I said before I looked at them. ''But I'll get use to it… well not seeing you go or seeing you hurt but…''
I didn't have time to finish my sentence before Barney hugged me. I returned the embrace as hard as I could while I kept crying. I didn't approve the technique, but I somehow knew that they only wanted to protect me. I felt safe, I felt love. I loved them.
I let go of my dad and turned to Gunnar and Toll.
''Are you both ok?'' I asked, and they nodded.
Knowing that I couldn't do more to help them, I turned my attention back to Tool who was getting paler. I helped him up and started to walk him to the elevator.
''Gabrielle?'' Barney called, and I turned to him.
''I just want to make sure he's ok. I'll stay with him, if that's alright with you. You should get some rest too. My room's next to Gunnar if you don't want to be too far…'' I said, and his gaze softened.
''I'll be in your room if you need me then. Don't hesitate to ask us for help,'' he answered.
''You don't have to do this,'' Tool tried, and I stared at him. '' Alright, thanks sweetheart.''
I could hear a small laugh coming from Toll, and I smiled. It was my turn to take care of them.