Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 202 - I miss when it was simple.

Raptor's POV, A few hours later.

"Knock! Knock!"

Looking up from the couch, I glanced back to see Zeta standing by the front door. She peeked through the hole to announce.

"It's Pierce."

Proceeding to open the door, I watched with Cody and the others as he walked in to see me sitting there with a smile on my face. After a second of looking at Zeta to confirm that was the same girl he met before, Pierce turned to say to me.

"You know I'm not a big fan of the hiding in plain sight look. How was it over there?"

I stood up to shake his hand as he came in close. Pierce was wearing as normal clothes as I could ever imagine a man his size fitting in. Blue jeans and a polo short sleeve shirt. His fur was a wreck but that was no surprise to the heat outside. Keeping my voice down I replied as we stopped shaking and proceeded to sit back down.

"It was nice. Cold but nice. Can't say I wouldn't not want to go back some day. But as you know….I can't. Not with all the shit right now. How is everyone?"

Cody offered him a bottle of water and he took it gladly. Pepper and Zeta stood in separate corners of the room and Blitz I had upstairs watching from the second floor for any rebellion trouble. We were almost sure nothing would happen but he couldn't be here for this conversation I was soon to have. After taking a drink Pierce replied.

"Everyone is good. Apart from Gorgon. He's a bit well….depressed with the whole hostage thing. Tusk is still recovering but he's walking. Just barely thanks to Raze. As for my men? Well we're all just trying to blend in. Which isn't hard right now. Staying indoors is the best way to avoid the trouble outside. How about you? I see Zeta got an upgrade. Who's the other one?"

"Her sister." I replied as Pierce widened his eyes to look at the orange masked wolf. Slowly Pepper undid her mask and Pierce gave her this whistle to state.

"Well god damn. You two twins?"

Pepper nodded and got her mask back down. Pierce who was just getting the idea nodded back and redirected towards me.

"I assume your trip went well then. Now I got a call from Hecan the last few days. He's trying to go over everything with me. Now from what I was told, I'm to give you this."

Reaching into his pocket, the wolf pulled out a USB and tossed it over to my side of the room. I caught it and listened as he stated.

"That's everything we managed to get before leaving Afghanistan. Enough to convince everyone over on that side of the world we got a problem here. Now from what I was told Commander you're going to be heading to Pakistan after this business with Gorgon is settled. Hecan wants to know when so he can come down beforehand and get on Linnen's good side. However I'm guessing you won't be pushing for a quick date right?"

Sitting up in my chair I replied.

"I'm not heading down there till business has been settled here in my home country. That includes things like getting General Hoffer who is in charge of the rebellion forces here on my side. Till Ying has been either pushed out or killed."

"The numbers here are weak Commander. Ying is in charge of helping rebellion forces lock down the main points of interest here in the city. Like the main supply depots, the armory, vehicle holding barracks, checkpoints, the border defense and of course the capital. But I'm sure having Hoffer change sides will put Archer and all the rebellion over there in a weird place. But you realize it's gonna require help? Hence Linnen."

Shaking my head I replied.

"I can make this work from here. All I need is Hoffer to lay down his arms. Which he will do knowing the man. It's a matter of how to make it play out in my favor. I have to abide by Hecan's advice and beg for G.U.N intervention. I understand why it has to happen but I'm lost on how to make this work. I have no trained soldiers to command. Getting the cities back into a riot will end with a lot of people getting killed."

"It's something that has to happen. I'm sorry to say it Commander but we both know it. By the time the people are ready to fight back you'll be able to lead an attack. Not just blindly push at Archer."

Pierce was right but I had other plans for this. I knew what Hecan and him were expecting. I kill Gorgon and go straight to TV to rile up the world. Then run to Pakistan and hunker down with Linnen and wait till everything is set for a combined assault on Archer in Afghanistan. It wasn't not going to work, that plan anyway. It's just not how I want to go out. Watching from the sidelines as G.U.N secured the glory. I just beg and beg and get my own mad enough to fight. I'm not like that. I don't beg. I don't sit out and watch something like this happen and no matter how I feel about it I wasn't about to let Drake come out a hero after the smoke clears. I had plans. Some of them were bad. I looked back up to Pierce to see one of them unfolding before my eyes. He's a great man. A great leader. But he jerks Hecan off. I can already see a problem coming between us if I decided to go against some of his ideals. I'm not saying he would try to stop me, but I can see a decision having to be made. Killing him was the outcome if things went south. Keeping myself relaxed, I soon said back to him.

"I know Pierce, but think about it from my shoes for a second. I need to be frank with you. Even if you may disagree."

Pierce understood this was getting serious and now gave me this direct glare as I leaned in to state.

"I don't trust G.U.N to lead my people and I'm not about to give the power to someone like Drake Linnen. I know you report to Hecan. Probably every word I say, but I need you to listen for once and make a choice for yourself. I'm not running to Pakistan after going on TV. It's not going to happen. That's where Hecan can go fuck himself. I go there and it's going to be to kill the prick who had my family and I executed. Nothing more. Am I clear?"

Pierce was just staring at me in silence. He had no idea where to start with a response. I knew pressure was key here so I kept pushing the man. Standing up I shouted directly at him with Zeta and her sister reading themselves for anything.

"I'm leading this effort from here! Not Pakistan!"

Pierce sat back in defense as I went on.

"I have a plan to make this work for both of us. Hecan wants me to convince everyone to work with him? I can do that. But my people need me to make this work. Not Linnen and not any other of its Commanders. You can do as you please once Gorgon has been dealt with but I'm warning you now. I'm not about to let your government walk over my good name in the sake of world peace. I'm a fucking soldier and I fight on that field with everyone else who believes in what I believe. I will not sit and hide for my freedom as others die. I'm not about to be anyone's bitch. Not yours. Not Hecan's. Not Drake's. I will lead this rebellion from here and that's the end of it. Once this city is under control and Ying's forces have either fallen back or have all been killed; I'll decide where to go from there in means of a next move. This plan will not jeopardize the treaty we have. It will not affect anything in world peace. I'm just not going out that way. It's not in my blood and it never will be. You are free to feel any way you want, but I'm warning you again. Do not question me. Do not do anything to fuck me. Am I clear Captain?"

Cody who was sitting next to him just whistled after hearing my little speech and urged him.

"I'd go along mate. The man is willing to work with ya's. He's just not going to be hiding for it. He wants to remain honored and a hero of his kind? Let him. You would do the same. It's not worth the tussle. Just let Hecan know he isn't planning to fuck everything up. That would surely be a waste of all this effort huh? Hahaha."

Pierce cracked a small smile as I waited for an answer. But unknown to him I already knew what it was. So after maybe a minute of waiting I just decided to proceed to the next subject by asking the man.

"When can you get Gorgon to me?"

Looking back to my eyes he replied sensing he must have figured I'd given up on waiting.

"Whenever you need him. Why?"

Sitting back down I replied.

"I want to finish this before focusing my efforts on the rebellion. I'll send you details on what I'm planning later tonight, so check your phone. For now go back to the others and wait for my orders."

"Yes sir." He replied as he took a second to think. Upon standing up I said to him directly and with a lower tone.

"You're making the best choice here Pierce. Remember that."

The big guy was a little unsure on how to react. He knew I confused his morales and now he was debating on what to say to Hecan. I'm sure Hecan could accept my plan if I told him, but right now isn't the time.

Watching as Pierce made his way back to the door, I listened close as he stated.

"I have no problem with you wanting to fight. But my men are my concern. I will not have them fight G.U.N or any battles that may come from your ideas Commander. Understand when this is all set and in motion I will be taking my leave."

"This was never your war Captain. I'd expect nothing less from a man such as yourself."

Pierce huffed and puffed for a second then proceeded to walk back outside. With the USB in between my fingers I looked to Cody to order him.

"Man the front for a while. I need time to think and come up with a plan for the TV. I'll come find you once I get it set up."

"And us?" Pepper questioned as I looked over to her to reply.

"Relax a little. Get a shower or something. You two probably smell like shit in all that and right now you are not impressing anyone from the confines of my home. So take this as another chance to rest up before shit hits the fan. That's an order by the way." I informed them as I walked my way towards the basement door. The three of them all looked lost as I left them there, but I would hope they could figure something out in due time.

Heading downstairs, I soon found myself in my own little man cave. The basement was never a place Ghost or Midnight were allowed to visit. It was where I kept a lot of old mementos and memories from my past. Some included belongings of the men I used to lead and others were just weapons from fallen comrades I managed to keep. One of them was Shadow's M1911, but of course that's now gone. I'd get that back but not today.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I made a right and went right into the thick of it. There was a bar just under the stairs I had built years ago and it was small thanks to the size of the room. Only two seats and a smaller counter to rest on. As for everything else in the room, there was a wide open space just to walk around. A long leather couch sat up along the back wall and in between were the memories I talked about. I had a few tables I used spread out along the opposite walls. One was dedicated to clothing. Another has a few weapons and the last just had some old knick knacks. Guess I'm a hoarder but it was nice to have a collection of things that meant something to me. The guns were the main reason the kids weren't allowed down here. Maybe if they were older but now that's out of the question.

Slowly I approached one of the tables to rest my eyes on an old rebellion combat vest. About as old as my original one was but this one had a name. It belonged to a good friend of mine. Frost.

Running my left hand across the old material, I let out a sigh as I could see the holes in the back of the rig. That only brought back anger. My fucking brother killed Frost during an ambush. Frost didn't deserve that death. He was a good man, and a better friend. Wish I could have him here now. Next to his was some of Shadow's old gear apart from his vest. It didn't stand for much, but having his necklace here still meant more than anything else. That chain is probably worth a lot to the right kind of people and as far as the world knows it doesn't exist. I planned to keep it that way. Actually now that I think about it, I don't trust it here to anyone.

Picking up the necklace, I made a choice and decided to wear it from this point on. It was small enough to not get in my way and if anything anyone who knew Shadow will know what this is and they won't argue with me about anything. It holds more meaning then just in how much it could be worth.

With the chain resting under my neck, I tucked it under my shirt and went back to looking through my past. This ranged from people like Logan who led the rebellion back in the beginning of the first war and war trophies. Like that prick Reacher who cut my tongue in two. When that motherfucker met his end I stole his wedding band and watch. Don't ask me why. It was safer than storing his head. I guess to someone normal this was more of a demented site to behold. Who will see me as sane when they visit this collection of kills stolen from their corpses. No one. I thought to myself as I reached the opposite wall to stare up.

I had more than just old weapons around. I had a thing for collecting. Rifles ether salvage or bought after the second war were held up on a custom metal rack display. It was from wall to wall. Pistols, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, I even had a fucking rocket launcher tucked under the display still in it's case. I spent a lot of money on this and apart from the normal it was one of the things Alicia would yell at me about. Always worried the kids would shoot each other at some point. I can't blame here but all the weapons here were not loaded with live rounds. Just empty clips and shells. All the ammo I had was stored in a gun safe in the very left corner of the wall. I had it covered with a fancy red blanket and on top of that was a lamp. The kids wouldn't know it was there and even if they did they are not opening that. But back to my guns. I had at least forty different bodies on this wall. The only ones not there right now were my old M4 and Shadow's M1911. My M9 was still in my vest back in my room and my Glock was sitting behind my back almost next to my tail. I never planned on getting it back but now I might have to make a spot for it. Regardless I looked back to the safe. The safe held more than just ammo. It held any old documents I kept onto like Shadow's will and the likes. But it had a locked weapons crate inside it. One I kept for such times. I was about ready to bring it out and the urge grew stronger knowing my M4 was sitting somewhere in the Iraq capital. Still pissed I left it there. Walking over to the safe, I lifted up the cover to hear the basement door open. I stopped what I was doing to just listen as I heard a voice from the top of the stairs calling down to me.

"Raptor?"

It was Pepper. Sitting up straight I replied.

"Yeah. What's wrong?"

"Can I come down?" She then asked as I let out a sigh to cover back up the safe.

"I suppose. Just don't touch anything."

Pepper came right on down, her mask still on and all that. I watched as her body stopped moving the second she reached the bottom. I gave her this embarrassed smile as her head was panning the wall behind me and all the tables. Lowering her rifle even further to her side then normal, she questioned in what to me was utter confusion.

"What the fuck is all this by the way? I've been meaning to ask you since I came down here the first time."

"Don't worry about it. What's up? I thought I told you to get cleaned up. The water pressure not high enough for you?"

Pepper couldn't help but lift up her mask. The hood to her cloak came down as she slowly tried to walk by me, as if she didn't hear my question. Stepping backwards to keep in front of her, I placed my hand on her chest to urge her.

"I said not to worry about it."

The wolf all the sudden refocused on me as I was clearly still waiting for her reason for being down here in the first place. With her remaining in the palm of my hand, she finally replied.

"We drew straws. Zeta gets to go first. I came down cause I figured you wanted the company and what else was there to do? Watch rebellion TV? Fuck that. What is all this? Stop bullshitting me." She ordered now as I took my hand off her to reply.

"An unhealthy habit of mine?"

Pepper must have learned I lost my interest in holding her back once my hand left her side. Because the second it did she continued to slowly pace herself forward. Her eyes were focused on the guns, but soon she began to look around the tables. During which time I said to her.

"Everything on that table is from the past. Each with a story to tell and a dead friend or foe linked with it. I collect and yes I'm aware it's creepy. My wife never came down here for that reason alone. Brings back too many bad memories along with it too."

"What the hell is with all the weapons though? You got a whole fucking armories worth on that wall. How the hell did she let you do this with the kids?"

Approaching the thin wolf, I replied from maybe a foot behind her.

"Who said she let me?"

Pepper looked back over her shoulder to widen her eyes as I admitted.

"We argued a lot about my disorder here. In the end I think she gave up and accepted the idea that it was safe enough to have. None of them are loaded."

Her eyes darted back to the wall and slowly she panned down to see the rocket and what was alongside it in the way of spare kevlar and polished combat rigs and boots. Her next question was obvious to see coming.

"Is that one not loaded?"

Chuckling I replied.

"Nah it's loaded. Just in case I ever had to get rid of the kids."

Pepper's hand came swinging back around to hit me in the side. I let out a laugh as she shouted.

"That's not fucking funny! Threaten to blow your kids up? Your nuts."

"It's a joke." I told her back as she kept her hand on my arm. After another minute of looking; she turned around to turn her hand around. Gently she gripped my elbow and whispered.

"About last night."

Nodding I reached over to grab the hand that held me by the wrist. Pepper kept her grip on me however as I urged her.

"Don't worry about it. We all make mistakes."

"It wasn't a mistake." She replied as I went silent.

Leaning up into my body an inch more the wolf whispered.

"I'm not a good girl. Zeta is definitely not a good girl and I've been the one to kinda move in on her territory once or twice in the past before so I'm going off instinct here. But there is something about you that makes me curious and I think what happened last night was me trying….?" Cutting her off I wondered.

"Trying to make a move?"

She nodded once and replied.

"It's not like that. It's more like I want to know what makes you so special. Zeta is willing to fight this war for you. She's gone as far as to drag me in and I'm not about to lose her now, so I have no choice but to tag along for the ride. But Zeta I think really likes you. Like she like likes you. You know what I'm trying to say here?"

Chuckling I replied.

"Yeah I can piece that together."

"Well how do you feel? Do you like her back?"

I was somewhat unsure what to say to this. Problem was I didn't want to piss her off and I had no clue what telling the truth would do. But I had to say something. With Zeta not here to help I replied to her much more leaner half.

"I…...I…..well I do like her, yes. She's a good person and I can see something happening. But I'm not sure now is the time to commit anything to it. I'm fighting a war. I've lost so much. I can picture honestly loving her. Hell I feel that a bit now with her and I know she does too. But saying she's more than just a friend right now might be too much for me."

Pepper had wide eyes as she took in my answer. After a second she questioned.

"Has she said she loves you?"

I nodded once and replied.

"I said it first so it's my fault. But in my defense Pepper I'm going through a lot and I've never been good with emotions. Especially my own. I do think I love her yes, but right now there are more important things going on that need my attention first. Before I can commit to a relationship. I don't know how you feel about the whole thing, but I'm sure Zeta agrees with me."

"Fucking stuipd bitch." She replied back in disbelief as I questioned.

"What?"

Taking her hand off me and backing up she replied.

"How do I feel? I don't really know you. She doesn't and she's saying she loves you?"

"I know it's way too early and I know it doesn't make much sense but that's the truth about it Pepper. We might love each other now, but who's to say that might not change after this war is over? I wouldn't think too much into it. We're not dating and we're not together. I think we both need to think about it truly. I doubt I'll even be alive long enough to make anything happen, so there is that."

Pepper now began to breathe. I watched her closely as she looked down to my legs. Then slowly her eyes came back up to match mine. A small smile on her face as she muttered.

"I guess your not a complete dumb fuck. I'd be more upset if you said you were a full on couple. But know this. You date my sister and I will expect a full report. No bullshit."

"Not a problem Pep. Like I said it's too soon to commit."

"So you just fuck then? Like fuck buddies?"

Widening my eyes at the sudden change of conversation, I replied.

"Ahhhhh I mean…...I guess that's one way to put it. Why are you asking?"

Giving me this glare she started to pace back over to me. The whole time she fixed her hair and once at my side she replied back.

"Cause if neither of you are ready to commit then that means she's coming back for a reason. Could be that your a god and all that, but that could also mean your good in the sack. Zeta never goes back for seconds with someone she doesn't truly love. So which is it old man?"

My body jumped as she placed her right hand down on my left leg. Taking a step back I watched as her eyes began to change color. I knew what this was becoming and out of fear I smacked her hand off me to reply.

"Hey!"

"What?" She questioned in a low tone as she went to grab my pants. The second her hand wrapped under the sem, I grabbed her hand and pulled it back. Her body jolted as I used my other hand to grab her from under the chin. She instantly let out a playful growl as I was being more serious then normal with my orders this time around.

"Hands off!"

"You scared of something? What's wrong? Zeta isn't gonna come down here for a while and your not a thing so that means….?" I increased my grip on her neck to get her to shut up. Her free hand came up to rest round the wrist that had her set in place. Looking back to my eyes she listened as I stated.

"That means hands off. I'm not looking for trouble nor trying to confuse myself anymore then I already am. You understand what I'm telling you?"

The venom was in her veins as she replied.

"I understand, but come on. Don't I owe you?"

"No." I replied with a small chuckle as I loosened my grip on her neck a little. Pulling my wrist down and off her neck, Pepper smiled and whispered as she came in for a kiss.

"You know that's bullshit. You're just trying to be a good boy. That's not fair to her or I. We don't like you pushing us away. You know it too."

Our lips connected for a second and I soon found myself pinned to one of the tables. Her more than able body began to mount me and with her hands around my back and her head hovering over my neck, I replied while keeping my hands away.

"Stop it Pepper. Even if I do feel like you owe me, this isn't what I want."

Her mouth opened slightly as she took it upon herself to bite down on my neck. I shut my eyes and opened my mouth now feeling somewhat aroused. Gently beginning to kiss my neck she whispered.

"But what if this is something I want? Come on….you know you want this too. Just imagine how it would be."

Going around to the other side of my neck I let out a soft grunt as she bit me again. With my hands coming to rest on her hips I listened more as she soon nibbled up to my ear. After a gentle bite she whispered into it.

"I haven't done this kind of thing for well over six years now. I can show you things. Do things Zeta can't. Imagine how tight I am for you to feel."

Slowly I dragged my right hand down to her butt. The pants were thick enough to give her body some shape and enough for me to get close to her tail without her catching wind. I felt her breath turn hot on my head as I went under. Dragging her hands back up to my shoulders she urged me.

"Come on. Just let go a little and have some fun."

With our eyes locking, I smiled and made my next move swift. Grabbing her tail with my right hand, I phased right through her body and right behind her. The wolf lost her mounted position in a split second and once behind her I tugged her tail to reply.

"No. I'm content where I am now."

She was stunned for a second by what had happened and once I tugged her tail she spun back around to face me. Giving her this direct glare as I continued to hold her tail I urged her.

"Stop this. Please. It's not personal."

The venom left her eyes as she calmed down. Letting her tail go I watched as she collected herself. Looking me dead in the eyes she replied.

"Fine. I'll stop."

"Thank you." I replied back as she nodded and began to lower her mask. Once over her face she mumbled.

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Just don't mention it. I'm sorry too. But I promise you it's not personal."

"I know." She replied back as I watched her walk to the stairs. Her tail still swung from side to side as she began the trip back up. Once gone from the basement, I let out a deep breath and fell back to the couch to sit and just breathe. Upon fixing my fur on my neck she bit into I whispered.

"Holy shit."

That was harder than any battle I fought to win.

mT Shadow.