Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 183 – Complete Tranquility.

Hai Ying's POV, China.

"What do you want from me Hai? You knew your men were going to be in the thick of it over there in Iraq. You sent them in and you knew the risks. If they haven't been heard from since then you need to focus on coming up with another plan. I've lost plenty of men to those Diskov sisters since this started and regardless of your personal feelings I refuse to carry you any further." Stated Tomas as I had him and Shader on the line.

"He's right Hai. You knew the risks. Your lucky the network hasn't come after you for it."

"That doesn't make this right!" I shouted back at Jessup as Tomas came back in to urge.

"So what are you going to do then? You really want to risk a war with the rebellion for this? It's not worth it and going to war is not good for business. Just forget about the money and your grandson and try to help us here. Where were they last seen?"

Lowering my head to the base of my desk I replied.

"Zeta was in Afghanistan when we had her. I don't know how it happened yet. But I know my men are dead. As for her? I have no god damn clue."

"She might have died with them." Suggested Jessup as I gave it some quick thought to reply.

"I don't know anything yet. But I won't be able to sleep until I know some facts. If Ness is alive and just in need of some help then I need to step in."

"You'd have to talk to the rebellion Hai. They won't let anyone into their borders without proper permissions."

"I'm heading down there in a few hours. If I can get their efforts to help me figure this out then maybe we can work out a deal." I stated as Jessup then asked.

"What about Pepper?"

"I've lost a lot of people to her and right now the remaining teams in Syria are having a hard time with the military. Once the chopper went down it turned the city inside out. But the last sighting of her was somewhere east of the city. She drove out before everything fell apart. But she still managed to kill the tracking unit we had set in place to catch her if she did try to run."

"They all died?" I questioned as he quickly replied.

"I still have men in the field, but right now she could be anywhere. Jordan being her next best bet. We lost sight of her as soon as she fled the area. Reinforcements didn't arrive in time to finish the job."

"God damn it. We need to figure this out. Somehow she keeps getting away. Do we have any eyes in Jordan?" I then asked as Tomas replied back after some time.

"I have men in the city yes. But so far nothing. She's probably hiding."

"What about you Jessup?"

"I had a scout get a little close to Pepper before she could leave. He got killed alongside Tomas's men."

"Where the hell are all your teams then?" Tomas had to asked in confusion as I went quiet to listen.

"My men are working a few leads they got in Jordan. The touched down only a few nights back. Give them some time and we should find out where she's hiding."

"And how about Drake?" Tomas asked next as I jumped back in to say.

"I don't know a damn thing he's up to. But chances are he knows more then we do right now.

"Drake won't tell us if he figures out the location first." Stated Jessup as I agreed and replied.

"My focus is getting to Afghanistan to talk to someone over there about this."

"Things might go south if they don't know about the operation Hai. Tomas was adamant about this idea but I had to figure out what went down with Ness. I'm not leaving my grandson to the wolves if he's alive."

"Zeta's contract was cashed in by a third party contractor right? Can we get a name? Chances are that's your only witness Hai." Explained Jessup as I had already considered the idea of getting into contact with them. So keeping that in mind; I replied while grabbing my drink from off the counter in front of me.

"They want ten million for the information."

"No shocker there. You gonna pay up?" Tomas then wondered as I quickly replied while bringing my glass closer.

"I don't know yet. I want more information before deciding. The rebellion might know something we don't. If that's the case I need to do this."

"I'm amazed they didn't call you. Not like your men are hiding out there. Had to be bodies for them to see. They got to know you're in trouble. Might be willing to talk at least."

"I need to go. My flight leaves in an hour." I replied as Tomas quickly urged.

"Be careful Hai."

"Yeah. We'll talk when I got more to go on. You two keep me informed if you learn anything yourselves while I'm gone."

With that both Tomas and Jessup hung up and I was left to my drink. I was too old for this shit.

Taking a sip I then whispered to myself.

"I'll be there soon Ness. Just hang on if you're alive. We'll figure this out."

Raptor's POV, An hour later.

"You're not that bad." I tried to tell Marcus as it was made very clear to me he was drunk. He had gotten emotional all the sudden and with nothing but this lost look in his eyes he questioned.

"Me? The god of death? Not a bad guy? You are fucking nuts."

"I'm serious. And I'm not just saying that cause you saved my life. Or Molly's. I'm saying that cause I can see it sitting here now. Now that we've talk."

The fox just continued to stare at me. I knew he had no words for what I was saying. So keeping my tone fair I added.

"You're not a bad guy. Inside you got a heart. Here? Now? You do what you gotta do cause it's your job. Sure you might like the death and the killing but in the end so do I. And what the fuck am I?" I asked him as I knew I was drunk just as much as he was. The bottle was done and with our eyes locked I replied to my own question.

"I'm suppose to be a leader. Someone people look up to. The middle east thinks I'm able to do the same thing Shadow was able to. They think I'm their only hope. And what did I do? I turned my back. I ran. All I'm doing when you think about it is I'm putting more people at risk and a lot of faith in luck. I'm smart sure, but I just use common sense half the fucking time Marcus. Anyone can do what I do. You just gotta believe that you can make a difference. If you hide your colors you just get washed away in a sea of black and white. You ignore life around you and focus on being selfish and only looking out for number one. Fuck if you think about it enough I'm just playing hide and fucking seek with the world. And all my remaining friends. Not like I got many." I told him as he leaned a bit over his left side to say back with a careful and slow paced voice.

"That's bullshit. Even I can see what your doing. You're doing things your way and in the end you'll still be better then Shadow. You will bring change and people will see it. By the way Voltz? Not just anyone can do what you do? Not just anyone can be a leader. You're born to lead as you are born to follow. Only difference is that ninety percent of the people in this world are born followers. If we had more leaders I'm sure this place would be a whole lot different."

I just went silent and looked towards the bookcase as he soon came in to ask.

"And what do you mean you don't have friends? What the fuck are you talking about you sad piece of shit? You lie through your teeth. You have more friends then I have confirmed kills. And what about that wolf? What is she to you? A friend? Bullshit I see and I know how you think. She's another chance to turn your life around. She's another Julie. Another Alicia. Hell another Shadow."

Marcus's voice began to trail downward as it was getting pretty late. Looking to my watch as he soon forgot about the conversation, I soon wondered.

"You wana get to bed?"

Letting out a small laugh under his breath Marcus questioned.

"Bed? You think I sleep?"

Looking right over to the fox I replied directly.

"No. But I think you need some. You can't have you're first time getting drunk be spent awake. Going to sleep opens up a whole new world for your mind to wander."

"Raptor if my mind wanders there will be no rules for what I might do."

"Ahh shut up." I urged him as I reached out to push his arm. Marcus just smiled to himself as I sensed someone coming. He did to and without looking away from me now Marcus said with a calm tone.

"I'll see you later. Just do me a favor? Next time bring a second bottle."

With him standing up I remained where I was to watch as he caught his balance. Quickly getting control the fox smiled back at me to whisper.

"And ahhhh hey?"

Peaking my interest, I raised my ears to listen close as he whispered.

"Thanks for listening."

Tipping my imaginary hat to him. I replied with a small smile of my own.

"Anytime."

Just giving me another chuckle, I watched with two open eyes as he faded away. Then just as he left I heard the door behind me open. I knew who it was and to be honest I didn't care. Right now I felt good. This would only make me feel better.

"Oh hey there you are." Zeta whispered as she must have been trying to sneak. Looking over to my right to see the wolf walking in to gently shut the door behind her. I listened on as she stated with a tone that closely resembled Marcus's in terms of tipsy.

"I tried to stop by your room before going to bed, but you weren't in. Just Cody who was out cold in your bed. Mind explaining that one?" She asked as I smiled and looked over to her to reply.

"I wasn't ready to sleep. And Cody...? Well you can see it. He's taking his job seriously. Asked if he could bunk with me for a few days till he warmed up to the place."

"The place? Or you?" Zeta then asked with a kinky hint to her voice as I cocked an eye to reply as she remained by the door legs crossed and tail swaying behind her legs.

"You gonna come over here or what?"

Zeta was already red in the cheeks and in time she walked over. Her body came behind my chair and with my head looking up; we connected eyes as she leaned over. Wrapping both her arms around my chest and giving me a gentle hug, I asked with a quieter tone.

"What happened to Pepper?"

Her face was not changing. Just smiles and red coming off her as she replied while starting to run her claws through my shirt.

"We finished what Cody had out and turns out she passed out the second we got back to the room. It was kinda cute."

Her touch was gentle as I kept my eyes to hers as I then asked.

"You haven't said anything...have you?"

Giving me a slow shake of her head Zeta replied.

"No. I don't really know how to explain it yet. Part of me is hoping you two will start to get along at some point. That way if I tell her she won't immediately try to kill you."

Laughing softly with the wolf, I then stated with an open mind.

"She's not a bad person. She acts tough, but inside I can see she has a heart. For you more then anything. It makes her defensive and I would be too if I just got out of a gunfight that lasted a few days without any breaks."

As I stopped my sentence Zeta began to move her hands further down my chest. Gently I reached up with my left hand to grab onto her left wrist. Of course she stopped moving that hand as I said to her gold orbs.

"I'm gonna do what I can to get along with her. You have my word. I'm not looking for trouble with her if I can help it."

"I know." She replied as I went silent. Using my thumb to rub her wrist as I held her there, I listened as she let out a breath and came down right onto the side of my head. Things went soft for a few seconds. Her hands stopped moving and I had no real way of going further then here. So looking to my left I reached back with my hand to gently feel for her tail which was behind her legs. Zeta's head rolled to the side to watch as I soon got a hold over it. Bringing it out from around her, I took it in my lap and began to just feel it. In probably a second Zeta asked in a very curious tone.

"What are you doing?"

Looking up to her gold eyes I replied.

"Nothing. You?"

Zeta gave me this faint laugh as I refocused and kept my attention on her tail. Leaning up off my head she made herself equally as entertained as she began to scratch the side of my right ear.

"Ohhhhh." I moaned as she wondered softly into my side.

"You like that don't you?" Her voice was swallowed by the drinks. She was flirty and as I began to shut my eyes to her touch I whispered.

"Thank you Zeta."

Stopping her scratching for a second she replied.

"For what? The scratches?"

Shaking my head I replied.

"Just for being here."

She began to retake control over my head as it became clear she understood what I meant. After a few seconds she laughed.

"You're welcome. Thanks for getting Pep."

"No problem." I said back as we both began to relax.

With my mind going off in one direction I soon found myself overtaken with joy. Pulling Zeta by the tail I still held, she swung around my side and came right down onto my lap. Her hands still on my head as I just hugged her from the waist down.

"You drank a lot huh?"

Looking up to her I watched as she picked up the empty bottle that was on a small stand between where me and Marcus once were apart. Keeping my voice down I replied with a smile.

"Yeah. Ever since this happened to me I've been a little bit more tolerant. That bottle was good though. At least I still feel that."

Giving me these two puppy eyes, Zeta asked while reaching for one of my hands.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Name it." I replied as she moved my hand up to her shoulder while putting the bottle back down.

"I'm a bit sore. Can you maybe...do something about it?"

"Yeah...stay still." I urged her as she put my hand on the spot. I could sense the pain she was in. It was indeed sore. I could feel the knots. Putting my energy into her, I could feel her muscles undoing themselves as I looked up to see her whole face go limp. Her mouth opened as she moaned.

"Oh my god...?"

I knew I had her. Pulling off my hug I began to feel her back with my right hand. She had a lot of tension. More then I first expected. But in time she was like goo in my arms. I had to start supporting her back because she was starting to go limp. Feeling as if she passed out I asked.

"You okay?"

Her eyes were closed and I got back nothing. She was silent and I started to feel her purring.

"Zeta?" I whispered as she replied from her daze.

"Yeah?"

"You okay?" I asked again as she nodded once to moan.

"It feels so good Raptor. You don't know the half of it."

"I bet." I said back as I began to feel her sides. Her hands came to my legs as it became obvious she wanted this. Facing forward Zeta just sat back into me. And I really mean into me. With her back pushing my face in I mumbled through her shirt.

"Zeta?"

It soon became a matter of life and death as all her weight came back on me. Stopping what I was doing with my hands, I pulled her back into my chest and stuck my head out from her right side. Her arm rested on the top of my head as she looked down to whisper.

"I'm so sorry."

I wasn't mad at all. Just smiling back up at the girl, I let out a soft and to the best of my ability, a recreation of the wolf's howl.

"Ahwwoooooo."

Zeta's eyes widened in utter disarray as I came to the end of my breath to stare at her. Giving me this lost look she wondered.

"What was that?"

Chuckling I replied.

"You."

Even though she was like jelly on my lap, Zeta replied confidently.

"That is not how I sound. I don't even howl. That's such a stereotype you dumby."

Laughing to myself some more, she went on to add.

"Even if I did that wouldn't sound anything like that. I would...?!"

With my hands wrapped around her sides, I took a hold of her skin and began to pinch. Her face lit up and she immediately groaned.

"Awwwwoooooooo! Stop it!"

Using her arm which was still above my head; she sent her forearm down to clonk me in the top of my skull. Of course I let go as she soon stopped her beating to widen her eyes at what she just did. Looking right at me to shout.

"That isn't a howl! That's not how it sounds!"

"Surrrrrrrrreeeee." I replied as she quickly leaned back to wrap her arms around my head. Using what strength she had she began to squeeze. I felt my head rush from the pressure and without even thinking I phased myself out of the chair and onto my feet. Zeta who was certain she had me, let out a scream as she suddenly fell down a foot into the spot where I was sitting in the chair. As soon as her ass hit the seat she looked forward to see me backing up a few feet with my hand going up to my neck. Letting out a sad little groan I listened up as she questioned with a new found energy she must have gotten from the experience.

"How did you do that?"

Smiling I replied.

"I'm not so easily captured. No matter how cute you are or how much I deserve it."

Zeta remained where she was to state back.

"No really. What the fuck did you just do?"

Cracking my neck as I fixed my pants I replied.

"It's called phasing. Or phase walking. Something I picked up a few nights ago in Afghanistan. Cool right?"

At this point the wolf started to rise. Approaching me slowly she reached out with her left hand. Looking to her fingers as they soon began to touch my chest. I just stared at her as she moved in with the other. Once back to me she asked with a whisper.

"What are you?"

"You already know." I replied as she begged.

"Can you do that again?"

I knew this was not what these powers were used for but I was drunk enough to have some fun. With her eyes looking to her ; I shut my eyes and gave it some time. Zeta's whole body went still as her hands soon went right through my chest. The wolf I knew was stunned by the ordeal. Her body stiff. Her eyes locked on target. Her tail down between her legs and her mouth partly agape. Lifting up my right hand I brought it up to her face. Her eyes switched to it and with some toying in mind, I ran it through her head. The wolf panicked as my hand went right through her like wind. I just watched as she fell off her feet and back down into the chair again. Letting out a laugh I got back from the girl.

"Don't do that!"

"Hahahahah!" I was losing my shit. And with my laugh overtaking me; I panicked as she ran out of the chair to tackle me down and onto the carpet below. Our eyes locked on one another and her hands barred on my shoulders. And at that moment there was no other words to describe it. Maybe it was the alcohol but I said right into her eyes.

"I love you."

I felt her hands begin to shake and without really any warning tears began to run down her face. I felt my life freeze for a minute. I knew saying that meant something. It meant something to her. I didn't care what would happen or what could happen. I didn't worry about how Pepper cared. I just leaned my head up to place my lips on hers. It was one of those few times in my life I knew for sure this was a woman I could trust. A woman I could love. A woman who could help me try again. I just embraced it and lifted my arms up off the ground. Wrapping them around her back I spun us over and got lost as her hands raced through my quills. After a moment or two more of just pure joy entering our lives. I opened my eyes as her lips left mine for maybe a second. Zeta's gold orbs staring into my heart as she said back.

"I love you too."

mT Shadow.