Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 124 – Results

Mason's POV, An hour later.

I sat here with Hannon's jacket on my desk. No one around but me to stare at it and what it meant. Everyone else was out celebrating the victory. I couldn't blame them. This city was rebellion controlled and now it would forever remain that way. This was the start to a better life. For everyone. Not just us but everyone to come. Part of me was still shocked Raptor did this. I honestly thought he was dead when he left this building last night. I still think he's dumb for doing it, but if nothing Raptor is reckless.

I haven't seen nor heard a word from him since he returned with that girl at his side. That was the other thing. Something was going on. Something more that he didn't want to tell me. Something about her. I can piece two and two together however. The wolf is Russian. Clearly not from these parts of the world. She's a bomb expert according to Raptor and she has mercs after her head. And after last night she is clear to be well trained. Taking down Pierce in a near second flat with a single turn of her body. I wouldn't be surprised if she turned out to be another soldier like Raptor or I. It's clear enough she is capable. I can't say I trust her though. I don't understand or know her even one bit. Just the basics. Raptor was hiding something. Something he clearly was concerned for when it came to her presence. I just didn't know what. But after risking her neck like she did to go find him out in that hell last night, I can at least say she's earned a place among my people. But for it to go even further, I would need answers.

As I continued to stare at Hannon's jacket, I soon widened my eyes as my phone went off. Looking to the caller id, I saw it was Archer. Answering slowly I said.

"Mason here."

"Mason it's good to hear from you. How are you?" He asked as I calmly sat back.

"I'm alive. That's for starters."

"And the battle?"

"I could ask you the same question." I then stated as he quickly replied.

"We managed to hold off Linnen's forces. Not after some heavy losses, but for right now the city is secure. We don't think he'll come back till he's rethought what to do. A direct attack ended badly for both of us."

I nodded my head as he then asked.

"Afghanistan then?"

"The city is secure. Hannon is dead. My men are out celebrating the victory."

Archer went silent. I knew what he must be thinking and feeling about what I just hit him with. Carrying on I added.

"We lost a lot of people, but in the end so did they. Right now Linnen is probably getting who survived coming in to Pakistan."

"Hannon is dead?" He asked in disbelief as I smiled.

"He's gone Archer."

"How?" He questioned as I took a breath.

Letting another moment of silence go between us as the answer loomed. I soon picked up my emotions and replied.

"Last night G.U.N attacked the capital. A lot of my men were killed. They were clearing the whole building Archer. They nearly reached my door."

"What happened then?" He asked as I replied.

"Raptor acted and killed the soldiers who breached our walls. He saved us. Without him being there I might be dead." I told him as he then questioned in confusion.

"Raptor is there? With you?"

"He came in last night. Yeah."

I heard Archer take a moment to himself after hearing that. Coming back now with a new found tone of anger he asked.

"Did he say why?"

I knew the answer or at least had an idea, but it wasn't my place to say this to him. Going a safe direction, I replied to him.

"He managed to secure Gorgon and two of his men with the help of a few people he put together while over in Pakistan. It was safer to come directly here then try to head back to Iraq. He was concerned with trying to push through the battle on your doorstep and decided to come around the south end of my borders."

"So Gorgon is alive then." Stated Archer as I nodded to myself.

"I have him in a cell under Raptor's orders. His other two men are in comas and haven't woken up yet."

"What's his plan then Mason?" He asked as I replied.

"I don't know yet. My orders are to keep out of it. It's personal for him Archer. You can at least understand that."

"I do, but I need him back here."

"I understand that Archer, but again it's not my decision to make."

Archer went quiet as I urged.

"Give him a call. I know he left you all with your asses hanging in the wind, but the situation wasn't ideal. For anyone in this. When I talked with him I found out quickly he regretting what he did. But he still feels it was his most sane option. If you can remain calm, and that goes for him as well. I'm sure the two of you can talk this out. Regardless this war is still both of yours to fight. Whether you hate him or not Archer."

"Okay." He replied as I then urged.

"Just try to understand his point of view. You two are best friends. It'll work out in the end."

With things going quiet, I soon was asked.

"How did Hannon die Mason?"

Taking a breath I replied.

"After the attack here in my capital, Raptor went after him. He charged head first into the battlefield alongside his men. He bled and he killed with them. From what I understand he took the right flank G.U.N had secured and took out the armor. Then from there he left his men to push in enemy lines. Believe it or not he assaulted the base. I don't know the details after that. Just that he came back a few hours ago with Hannon's jacket claiming his death. It's covered in blood and torn to bits, but I believe him."

"And Raptor?"

"He's locked himself in Shadow's old room here on base. Haven't heard a peep since. But I have one of my doctor's going in to check on him soon. Raptor was hurt. Very hurt. God knows how he was still standing when he came back. Looked like he was on the verge of death just by looking at him."

"Jesus Christ." Archer then replied as I nodded.

"Listen Archer, work this out. Raptor is still rebellion. He hasn't changed. Gorgon is finished. This senseless need to run is over for him. As a friend talking to a friend. Trust me when I say he hasn't lost his way in all this."

Archer now kept himself quiet as I added.

"Right now he's a hero to Afghanistan. He's freed this city. And soon he'll do the same for Iraq and for you. Now I have to go Archer. My city and it's people need to hear it."

Hanging up my phone, I let out a deep breath and stood up from my seat.

Even though I didn't say much, I'm sure this will work out in the end. And even though I was still having regrets and thinking about the specifics of what Raptor was doing, I knew one thing.

I trusted him.

Zeta's POV.

Even though I was perfectly fine; Raze was not letting me go. She hasn't left my side since we got back. Her focus was on my neck mostly. I told her everything Raptor told me. Raze knew not to say anything, but she agreed with me. What Raptor did was nothing short of a miracle. How he does it is something else. All I knew was it drained him. Both Raze and me saw that much.

"I'm fine Raze." I told her again with a smile as she just stared at me from no more then a few inches away.

"It's insane!" She stated as I chuckled.

"I know. But it's not our business."

"He saved your life Zeta! Your neck it was...it was gone!" She replied simply as I nodded.

"I'm aware Raze. But I don't know what else to say. Raptor wants this kept a secret."

"What if he can cure diseases? Like cancer? Zeta it would be world changing!"

"I wouldn't know Raze. It's not for me to decide."

"Maybe I can talk with him? He might listen." She stated as I just went silent.

"He hasn't left his room since we got back. I don't blame him, but you saw his condition."

"He might have just got rid of it all!" Shouted Raze with laughter as I then asked.

"You think?"

"To be honest I don't know! But I want to see him. I was actually told to go check in on him soon. Mason was worried about him."

Standing up, I then replied.

"Gives me an excuse to get my rifle back and to see Molly. Come on then." I urged her as she jumped in place to reply.

"Great! Let's go then!"

Raze was too energetic sometimes for me. How does she keep this up? I wondered as we made our way to the officer's quarters. Raptor's door was shut. Raze stopped just short of it to look back at me. She was worried about knocking. I could tell by her hand going to and from the frame. With her still looking at me, I smiled and urged.

"Go on then doctor."

Taking a breath, Raze took the plunge.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

"It's open!" We heard from inside. Raze jumped at the chance to enter and following in behind we looked around to find only Molly. She was laying on the bed with her head tucked in her front paws.

"Raptor?" Wondered Raze as she looked towards the open bathroom to widen her eyes. I took a step closer to get an angle and with wide eyes we saw what was going on. Raptor was sitting down on the toilet. With nothing but his boxers and a white shirt to cover him, me and Raze stood there in awe as he had his leg kicked up on the tub. Slowly approaching, Raze asked.

"What are you doing?"

With something in his mouth we could only see from the side, he replied.

"Stitching this up."

Raze and myself stepped in the bathroom to see the hole in his leg. He was almost finished as Raze knelt down to look for herself. Her eyes followed his hands as he threaded the needle. My eyes however were on the rest of his body. I could see some blood coming through the back of his shirt. Even the front had some, but I couldn't tell if it was fresh or just from his stitching. Finishing his leg and putting down the needle on his thigh, Raptor looked to Raze to ask.

"Hows it look?"

Examining the work, Raze replied after some time.

"Did you get the bullet out?"

At that moment Raptor pointed to the sink next to me. With Raze standing up we looked in to see it full of blood and metal. In utter confusion Raze asked.

"How many times did you get shot in the leg?"

Letting out a chuckle he replied.

"It wasn't just my leg."

With that he took off his shirt. Instantly I saw Raze nearly drop to her knees as even myself showed concern for what was under there the whole time. Raptor had three holes right in his back. One close to his spine even. But looking to his chest we saw even more. Two smaller holes sat near perfectly together between his chest. Those however were already stitched up. Raze got down to look at the work to question.

"What are you made of?"

Raptor began to laugh as I came in to place my hands on his back. The rounds were small. Probably pistol bullets, but they were lodged there deep. The skin was sealing over however which made it harder to see. With Raptor under our care he stated.

"I can't reach back there. Figured Mason would send someone to check in on me at some point, so I got started."

"Raptor we need to get those out." I stated as Raze went on to add.

"You actually did a really good job stitching these. Are you a medic too?"

Shaking his head he replied.

"Not fully. I just know enough in case something happens in the field. Stitching being the most common thing I know how to do."

Looking back up into his eyes, Raze then asked with a near whisper.

"Why don't you just...you know? Do that thing you do?"

Raptor glanced up to me as he thought of a response. In time he replied.

"I assume you talked?" Looking to me for the answer I replied.

"She already knew. I just told her what you told me."

"Raze you can't say anything to anyone." He then said with a stern voice as Raze quickly replied.

"Raptor what you did was amazing. Nothing short of a miracle. You saved Zeta's life last night. You could help so many people. Why keep this a secret?"

"First of all because no one would believe me."

"There are hundreds of injured people out there. Just go prove it!" She urged as Raptor looked away.

"Can you at least show me? One more time? Come on!" She begged as Raptor looked back slowly. Their eyes matched as he then glanced up to me. I just smiled. Letting out a sigh Raptor said.

"I need you to understand something Raze. If I could I'd help everyone out there. But this takes a lot of energy from me. It's not something I can just flick on with a switch. And I want this to remain a secret between us. When I'm ready...if I'm ever ready. I'll be open about it. But not right now. There is too much else to worry about."

"Raptor if you can save lives, that's the most important thing." Stated Raze back into his eyes as he now just stared at her. Sensing he was serious, Raze then said.

"I understand. But I just need you to understand that this isn't something I can just ignore. This is life changing. What if you can treat others with cancer? People that will die in months can live for years if you just help. It's a huge deal."

"I get that. But first of all I never tried. Second of all I already said this takes a lot out of me. Curing cancer would probably send me into a coma." Stated Raptor back as I just calmly looked to his back again. With him and Raze both eying each other down, Raptor soon said with a loss of what else to say to this young fox.

"I'll only show you if you promise me right now you'll wait till I'm ready to come forward."

"Of course." She replied in excitement.

With that Raptor shut his eyes. Raze stood up to look at his back. I kept my eyes on the holes as slowly the bits of metal came up. Raze was at a loss for words as they fell out and hit the back of the toilet. From there his skin sealed and I looked back to his face to wonder if he was okay.

"Raptor?" I said in concern as Raze just kept looking at his back.

Slowly I began to see him tilting. Jumping between Raze I shouted.

"Move!"

Raze jumped back a few feet as Raptor nearly fell into the tub. Catching him with my hands and grabbing onto his right arm, I pulled him up straight up to look back at Raze.

"Help me!"

Now with a look of fear on her eyes, Raze came over to my other side to grab Raptor's other arm. Gently we guided him back to his bed.

"Lay down." I urged him as he was barely awake.

"Thank you." He breathed as I got him a pillow.

Sitting down next to him, I ordered.

"Just rest. Get some sleep even. You did more then enough these last few days Raptor."

"But Gorgon...?" Cutting him off I replied.

"He's not going anywhere. You need to sleep. No questions asked. You just sleep now. Deal with all that after you recover."

With his eyes and head rolling over to look at me, I listened as he asked.

"Can you take care of her then?"

Raze and I both looked to his side to see Molly looking up at us. Both of us felt our hearts drop as she had blood on her nose. I was the first to jump on her as Raptor said with a low tone.

"A soldier...back during the attack. I was on my back during the fight. She...ahhhh...she bit him on the arm giving me just enough time to end it. But before I could, he punched her right on the muzzle. She's been curled up ever since."

"Oh my god." I whispered as I got close to see if she would do anything.

"She's a good girl Zeta. Just while I rest...can you clean her up and watch out for her?" He asked as I immediately replied with Raze now at his side.

"Of course. I can't believe someone would hit you baby."

Molly let me pick her up. With Raptor showing a smile as she folded in my arms, I looked back to him to say.

"I'll watch over her. Get her some food and clean her up again. I know how much she likes baths now so hopefully we can cheer this little cute doll up." I said as I nuzzled Molly.

Raze let out a snicker as I was clearly absorbed by this dog.

"Thank you." Raptor replied with a smile as Raze picked up the covers for the bed from up off the ground. Placing them over his body she said.

"What she said. Get some rest. I'll make sure Mason and everyone else knows not to bother you for today."

Raptor simply shut his eyes as I looked around to see my M4 resting next to his armor that was piled near the nightstand. With Molly in my arms, I said while he was trying to fall asleep.

"By the way Raptor, I'm taking my rifle back. Gotta make sure you didn't muck it up."

With a small chuckle, well more of a puff of air leaving his lips in the form of a cough. Raptor replied.

"Okay."

Walking around to grab my rifle, I then stopped to look at his armor, glock, and knife. Raze watched from the bedside as I just grabbed it all. Raptor had his eyes closed as I passed it all to her, but keeping Molly in my arms. Guiding her to the door, I shut it behind us as she looked to me to ask.

"What are you doing with all this stuff?"

Smiling I replied.

"First of all I've been waiting to look at his armor since I first met him. So this is the perfect chance to do just that. He stole my gun anyway, so I'll just borrow his for the time he sleeps. Maybe I can work on this too." I said as I reached to touch the glock. With Raze still holding all of it I ordered.

"Put it all on my bed in the next room over."

"What about her?" She asked as we looked to Molly who just peacefully sat in my arms looking at us.

"God I want to just eat her." I replied as Raze just added.

"She's so fucking cute. We need to get you cleaned up girl. Maybe since he's asleep I can run a checkup. God knows if she has any medical issues."

"Good idea." I replied as we had a plan.

"First thing first, go tell Mason and the others not to bother him. He's earned today off." I told her as we entered my room. Putting down the gear, Raze nodded and replied.

"Okay. You just stay here for now then. Shouldn't take me too long. See if you can get a bath going for her."

"Got it." I replied as she ran out of the room. Leaving me with the cutest dog in the world. I carried her over to the bathroom and asked while stopping next to the tub.

"You want to get another bath?"

"Braf!" She replied instantly as her tail began to wag. I couldn't help but feel warm inside. I had such a weak spot for animals. Placing her down in the empty tub, I went to turn on the warm water. As I did I glanced back at the mirror to look at myself.

"Hmmm." I mumbled as I saw sand and blood in small patches along my face.

Looking down to my torso then down to my legs. I figured now was probably a good time to kill two birds with one stone. Looking back to Molly who began to swat at the water that was inching it's way to her feet, I let out a laugh and undid the straps to my vest.

mT Shadow.