Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 216 - Like a family.

Raptor's POV, an hour or so later.

Everything was so quiet. The night sky rained through my window and I was unsure how to proceed now that Pepper and Zeta had seen Marcus. I think the two of them were unsure of life now. Pepper was drinking herself cold and Zeta was just as hammered now. I figured it would turn out that way for them. A god and Zeta was interrogating him. Made me laugh thinking about it. However I was tired now after a quick shower and Molly had found herself wanting to be tucked underneath my arms as I slept on my side. She was breathing very low and I began to hug her like she was all that mattered. Thankfully she was asleep and I was soon to join her.

"Knock!"

My eyes opened up as my door slowly opened. Upon lifting up my head I saw Zeta coming in. She was stumbling a tad as she smiled and saw the two of us cuddling. I lowered back my head to the pillow as she whispered.

"Awww you two."

I kept silent as she came over to my bed after closing the door. Looking at me as I tried to sleep she asked in a whisper.

"Is there room?"

At first I took a moment to think of what to say, but in the end I gently moved myself over and Molly to the end of the bed. From there I watched as the wolf seemed to be a little concerned with me not saying anything. Taking off her cloak she asked.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I replied as she began to undo her vest and other pieces of armor.

It was clear to her I wasn't really wanting to talk. So as she was soon undressed and left with just her pants and shirt, I watched as she unbuttoned her jeans to begin slowly slipping out of them. She smiled at me and when she was done she carefully slipped under the covers. She made it a point to get as close as she could to me and our heads were nearly touching as she lifted up her hand to caress my cheek and whisper.

"I did believe you. I just didn't…..I didn't expect him to really show up one day like this."

Scratching her way up to the top of my head I replied while shutting my eyes to her touch.

"If it means anything to you I wasn't expecting him to really do it."

"He's pretty nice." She stated as I replied.

"He's not normally."

Zeta's face went from a smile to a frown as she sensed I wasn't really in the mood to talk.

"Talk to me. You're not the same. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I replied as she gave a low growl to mutter.

"It's not nothing. You've been depressed ever since we got done with Gorgon. What's wrong? You should be happy."

"I am happy Zeta. I'm just trying to figure things out okay? Leave me alone. I just want to sleep."

The wolf got a small hold over my chin before replying.

"You never answered me. Where did you go earlier?"

Opening up my eyes I now just stared into hers. Zeta was waiting for the answer patiently. I knew she was going to laugh if I said it so I just avoided being direct by saying.

"I went out to see an old friend of mine who is close to my family. I just wanted to talk to him."

Letting my chin go and giving me this curious look she then asked.

"About?"

"About me." I replied as she then wondered.

"What about you? Do you mean…?" I grew tired and just cut her off to say it.

"I went to therapy. Okay?"

Zeta widened her eyes as I turned over. Now facing the opposite way I urged her.

"Leave it at that. I don't want to talk about it. It's personal."

"Raptor?" She whispered in concern as I blankly told her with some annoyance to my voice.

"I said it's personal. My wife, whose spot you're in right now; wanted me to go get help a long time ago. Now that she's gone and I have the chance to make things right, I'm doing what I know she would want of me. I went last night too. He's the only person I know I can trust opening up to. He's trying to help me and for once in my life I'm trying to do something about myself. Don't come down on me for it. I know you want to know everything there is to know about me, but this isn't something as simple as it may seem to you. I don't like opening up to people. You should know."

Everything went silent for a few moments. I was reading her thoughts and she was taking this very carefully so not to make things worse. After a minute or so she moved herself a few inches closer to wrap her arm over my side. Her hand rested on my upper chest and I curled my head on top of it as she hugged me tight and replied.

"I'm sorry. Don't be upset with me. I just want to help."

"I know." I replied as I then begged her once more before refocusing on my much needed rest.

"Just….just don't give up on me yet. I'm trying."

I felt every inch of her holding me and I knew from that moment on she was content with hearing that. So as I gave myself a small smile, I whispered before things got too quiet.

"I love you."

"I love you too." She replied as I felt her hug loosen and her mind wander in the void of sleep.

Vacus's POV.

I didn't know what to do now. I was stuck underground and I was lost as to where I was now underneath the city. I knew I was on the kill list now and going topside would get me into nothing but trouble, but what else was there left for me to do other then keep hiding? I thought I knew what I'd do being in this place but by myself reality was kicking in. I'm only one person and I'm fighting the whole army. My next move? I had no clue as to what that was. I wanted to kill Archer but I'm no leader or mastermind like Commander Voltz thought I was. I had nothing down here and all I could do was watch as the sewer water swam by as I sat down in the middle of one of the hundreds of tunnels. With the rifle I stole from the dead soldiers I killed between my legs, I tried to sleep. I've been down here for a few days and I was starting to grow desperate from hunger and thirst. I didn't want to die down here but I had no way of making things better.

As I sat here with my eyes closed I panicked as I felt my phone vibrate in my front pocket. My first reaction was to question who was calling me but my second action was to scramble for it as fast as I could. As I managed to slip it out from my pants, I widened my eyes to see it was a text message.

"Vacus it's Marhick. I know you may not want to hear anything from me since we last were together but I know your situation. The rebellion is on the lookout for you and I know why you did it. You can't do this alone and I don't want you to try. You need to meet up with me. I'm doing my best to lead the anti rebellion effort against Archer and the others and I need your help. Please send me a message back so I know you're still alive. We can help each other because we both want the same thing. Talking isn't going to cut it so please…...answer me."

I read the message to myself twice. Marhick of all people was still alive during this time and I questioned what I should do. I didn't want to be stuck down here and die from hunger and I knew he was right. We both want the same thing, but I had no way of knowing what his plans were. I wanted Archer dead as soon as possible and if he wasn't able to give me that I don't think I'd be able to commit myself to just hiding somewhere topside. But what choice did I have now? As I remained here thinking to myself I decided to respond, but I only asked him one question in return.

"Is Freeman with you?"

It took a few minutes but I got a response.

"She's safe and sound."

I felt some hope as I then asked the next question.

"Where are you?"

"I don't want to send that over text Vacus. Instead how about this? Dominick is fighting with us, including some of the other officers who defected. Dom can meet you at a place of your choosing then take you back to me. It's safer that way. You just tell us where and we'll be ready to take you in."

Looking up at the walls of the sewer I tried to collect a baring. Seeing that I was lost I had no choice but to get moving and figure out where I was and what I was close to. Putting my phone away I stood up and began to try and find a way out. There were a ton of ladders leading topside, but I had no clue if they were at all safe to climb. But it was late and at least I had that on my side. So using the first ladder I came across I climbed up and used all I had to lift up the grate. Thankfully luck was on my side and I was centered in another alley with no one around. As fast as I could I climbed out of the sewer and made haste for the street to get a name. With my phone back out I found told Marhick that I was on Hill road, near the first national museum. The same area I got shot in. Without much of a wait Marhick soon urged me.

"Okay I know the place. Dom will be coming ASAP to pick you up. Meet him around the back of the museum and he'll get you to me. Please be safe and keep your head down."

I didn't respond after that. I just got myself moving for the museum. I felt like a target the whole time. Not a soul outside other than me, but at least that made it easy to dodge any patrols that were on the lookout. I had no idea how Dom would get to me without causing trouble, but I had no other choice.

In a few minutes I managed to reach the museum and made my way around the back. Thankfully the backside of the building had a few places I could lay low and wait. So that's just what did. I positioned myself between a few trash cans and kept down. The whole time I had my hands holding my gun close and I was ready to shoot anything that moved. I swear I was like this for an hour or so, but when the time had come to move I widened my eyes to a sewer grate coming up from maybe ten meters out near the street side of the building. I watched in awe as a familiar face popped it's head out from the hole to begin looking around. Getting up as fast as I could I panicked as it was Dom and his eyes came my way to order in a whisper.

"Come on! Get over here quick!"

I ran for the hole as Dom had gone back down. As I came in he grabbed my rifle from below and urged me.

"I got ya. Close the lid."

I pulled with all I had and once it was shut I climbed down to be face to face with the old friend. For a moment he was just happy to see me but I was more than grateful to see him. So as fast as I could when I got myself off the ladder, I came in close to hug him tight. Dom was caught off guard but hugged me back to say.

"Thank god you're okay. Marhick and Freeman thought you were dead for sure after what happened at the capital. Are you okay?" He asked as I pulled back to nod my head.

Dom knew my condition and replied.

"Good. Come on we got a bit of a hike back. They'll be ecstatic to see you."

I nodded as Dom handed me back my gun. Then followed as he got moving.

As we walked I did my best to keep calm. I wanted to say so much but I couldn't. I'm sure Dom knew it too cause he would look back at me to make sure I was okay. After a while he said to me.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Incus. She didn't deserve that. I know it has to be hard."

I nodded as he smiled and then stated.

"The rebellion has fallen apart since all this went down. They're all looking for you now that you made a move on them. I heard about the murders. They announced it over the comms a few days ago. Thank god your safe. Did you use these tunnels to keep your head down? The rebellion refuses to come down here in fear of getting lost."

Again I nodded but I wanted to say something to him so I quickly got a hold over my phone and opened up my notepad. Using it to write down my words, I jogged up to his side to offer him the phone which he took without question.

"After giving it a read he replied while handing it back."

"I've been mapping the tunnels along with a few others. It's the safest mode of travel for us. So far Marhick hasn't done anything more then some rallies but it's about time he wants to strike. Don't know what his plan is yet but things have gotten a bit crazy ever since yesterday. Did you see the news?"

I shook my head in confusion as he then said.

"Commander Voltz was interviewed about the current state of the middle east and he plans to help get things back together for the people."

I widened my eyes as he chuckled and added.

"It came as a surprise to everyone. None of us know how he managed to get it aired without trouble, but he said a lot of shit. Including how he wants the rebellion to be abolished after the war and that he's requesting G.U.N intervention to help him retake the city from Archer. It's crazy but what he said made a lot of sense. G.U.N isn't our enemy like we once thought. We need their help now that Archer has the city under lock down."

Typing my next question for him to read, Dom soon replied.

"We don't know where he is right now. All we know is he's hiding out somewhere and he's making some moves. Hopefully we'll hear something soon about what he plans to do. But Marhick and the others are firm in thinking he's not in Afghanistan. Maybe Iraq or Iran but we don't know for sure. But the plan is for sure when he makes a move we're backing him up. If he feels we need to start changing our ways and working together to make things better, I'm not about to argue. We need the help now more than ever and he's the only person capable of making it happen."

Typing another question for him, Dom stated.

"No word from G.U.N yet as to his request. Hopefully though we'll hear something about it in due time."

I nodded and let out a huff and a puff as he patted my back and urged me.

"It's all good. We'll figure this shit out. One way or another. We gotta. Come on we're almost there."

I fell a few feet behind as Dom picked up his pace. After another twenty minutes or so we came to another ladder. Dom took the lead and it led up into what appeared to be a large commercial basement. I was confused and wide eyed as Dom helped me out of the hole and up into the waiting arms of two rebellion soldiers. I mean I guess I should say ex rebellion soldiers. They had no patches but the armor was still clearly rebellion. I recognized their faces from before and got smiles from them as Dom explained what was going on.

"We've taken home in one of the few remaining sewage regulation buildings. No one works here anymore thanks to Marhick. He didn't kill anyone so don't get the wrong idea, but people are willing to help us unlike the old anti rebellion from wars' past. The others should be upstairs. Come on."

I nodded and followed behind as Dom led me up a small flight of metal stairs. It was connected to a catwalk that was being overlooked by another pair of armed men and together I assume they were in charge of making sure no one entered from inside the sewer. However when you get up the stairs you make a left and it leads into a small hallway with three connecting rooms. One looked like an office and another was a break room. We passed by each and after reaching the end of the hall we entered the last room which looked like a lobby. The main door was locked up tight with more than a few familiar faces guarding it. Had to be ten or so people here and many others scattered throughout the rest of the building.

"In here." Dom said as we pushed by to enter another smaller hallway. This time we passed a locker room and found ourselves again at the very end of the hall which led into another break room. This one much larger and inside the conversation had stopped as we entered with Dom announcing.

"Look who I found hiding out there!"

My eyes quickly locked onto Marhick who I was stunned had as much energy as he did as our eyes made contact with one another. He jumped out of his seat and came running over to hug me. At first I didn't know what to do. This man was much larger than me and I barely knew him before the incident. But it was clear he was emotional as he said into my ear with a relieved voice.

"Thank god you're alive. I thought I got you killed."

He held me there for a few moments and in turn I hugged back. Then he pulled away from me to ask.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded as he got a look at my neck. I saw his eyes water up as he mumbled in sadness.

"I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to pay for my fuck ups. I ruined everything. Between you and….and Incus."

I did my best not to get worked up and quickly got back out my phone. Marhick looked to it as I typed three simple words.

"Don't be sorry."

Then four more.

"It's not your fault."

Marhick was clearly a teddy bear for a wolf and he smiled and let down some tears as I then typed one more thing for him to read.

"I forgive you."

After he read that I got another large hug. I smiled and hugged him back. The whole time we were there with Dom and a few others watching us. After a few seconds Marhick pulled away to urge me.

"Go through there. Freemen and some of the others are in there talking our next move over. I know they'll be glad to see you. I didn't tell them you were coming so it should be a good surprise that they need during this kind of fucking shit."

I smiled and looked to Dom as he guided me once more to my destination. Upon opening the door I looked in to see my old family of female soldiers. They were all piled up over a table looking over something and at first no one even noticed we were there. Up until Dom shouted.

"Hey ladies!"

All eyes and bodies turned our way as Dom smiled and shouted.

"Look who we found!"

Everyone was silent in shock. I wanted to laugh but all I could do was smile as Freeman popped up between the group of them to shout in sheer confusion.

"Vacus!?"

I nodded and offered her my arms and in an instant she came sprinting out of the crowd to tackle me into a hug much bigger than Marhick's. Then came everyone else including Jess who cried.

"I thought you'd be dead by now!"

I shook my head as Freemen cried into my side.

"I'm so happy you're okay! How did you find us!?"

At first she looked for me to answer but Dom quickly picked up on the problem and reminded her.

"Cap she's…..?" Freemen widened her eyes once more to reply.

"Oh my god I forgot! I'm so sorry Vacus!"

I smiled and did my best to show her it was okay and after maybe a moment or two Dom replied to her question.

"Marhick reached out to her. I went out and got her about an hour ago. We just got back."

Freemen was staring into my eyes and with Dom just laughing in happiness I hugged her again and listened as she whispered into my ear.

"Thank god you're okay! I'm so sorry about Incus and your voice! I'm sorry we couldn't do anything for you back then!"

Time seemed to freeze as she held me in her arms. I was okay with that and for a moment I felt happiness again enter my heart. It was warm and that's all I wanted right now. I just wanted to be happy and for now I would revel in it.

mT Shadow.