I added a bit to the last chapter, so you should probably go back and read the last part again. Otherwise, the beginning will feel kind of weird. As always, enjoy! And thanks again to Jared for the help!
As the former Little Sister disappears inside the vent, Elizabeth finally lets the facade fall, the smile slipping from her face. She replaces it with a frown as she ponders what to do. She was glad, ecstatic even, that they could save Sally…but it brought back too many painful memories, and had brought them too close to the truth of her dark past. Too close to exposing her to Jack. At the thought, she turns to him-and upon seeing his smile (which, unlike hers mere moments before, was genuine), she's filled with guilt. She watches as he watches her tiny feet disappear into the darkness, his smile growing wider when they hear her say, "Come on, Sarah. Let's go home."
Elizabeth envies his ignorance.
He knows nothing. Nothing of his past, of the true nature of "Atlas," or who Andrew Ryan really is. He knows nothing of the countless experiments done upon him, all the tests and drugs and the trigger phrase-that damn trigger phrase. He knows nothing of it-and of course he doesn't. How could he, and still stand there, smiling as though he'd already won? He knows nothing about his own past or the evils that hang over him. It seems as though there is nothing that will haunt him, nothing that will taint his views of the children he rescues. He sees Sally as the child she is-sweet and innocent, undeserving of the cruel world of Rapture and Atlas and Ryan. Elizabeth could only see her as a reminder of the many mistakes of her past.
She wonders, briefly, how she would look to him if he knew of those many mistakes. Or the lies. She shudders. She doesn't like to imagine. She doesn't have to.
She suddenly realizes that it's gone quiet, the distant thumping noise of Sally crawling through the vents long gone. She also realizes that she'll still staring at Jack, who is now looking at her with an odd expression on his face. She briefly panics, wondering if any of what she'd thought had been said aloud, before Jack's expression changes and he grins.
"I was wondering when you'd notice," he chuckles. He makes the face again, and it's only now that Elizabeth realizes that that's what she must look like right now. He's mocking her.
"Oh, shut up," she grumbles, looking away as Jack cackles some more. "Where to now? We have all the things we need for the bomb, yes?"
At the mention of the bomb, Jack's laughter begins to fade, and Elizabeth instantly regrets bringing it up so soon.
"Yeah, we do," he says solemnly. He's not laughing anymore; in fact, he sounds like someone just killed his puppy. She cringes as she remembers that particular audio diary.
Jack continues, unaware of Elizabeth's plight. "We need to make our way back to the secret room and assemble the bomb. Then, we figure out how to use it, head to Ryan's office, and kill the son-of-a-bitch."
Elizabeth resists the urge to shudder again. She wonders if he knows that he just quoted Atlas word-for-word. She decides not to tell him, just in case.
She begins to ask him where this secret room was again when she notices the dark look on Jack's face. She's seen that look before-Atlas had had that same look when he had talked about getting rid of Ryan-and she'd rather not see it again, much less on her only friend since Booker. Her heart sinks a bit at the thought of him, but she shakes herself out of it before she gets too lost in her own thoughts.
"So let's get going."
"It goes in the other way."
"No, I've got it, Liz."
"It's Elizabeth, and you do not. It goes in the other way."
"It's going in this way, I swear."
"You're going to break it."
"Look, there's a reason I'm the one carrying the wrench here."
"And you haven't been breaking things with it?"
"Okay, watch, if I try to do it the way you said, it won't-"
Click.
The nitroglycerin canister slides in neatly into the bomb's inner casing. After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth opens her mouth to speak, trying not to grin.
"Not a word," Jack mutters, clearly embarrassed as Elizabeth settles for a smirk. "...Let's just get this thing built."
Twenty long and confusing minutes later, the EMP bomb is built. Jack steps back, Elizabeth following suit, to get a final look at the thing, making sure nothing is missing. He moves a few wires here and there, readjusts the nitroglycerin casing and-done. The damn thing is-finally-done.
Jack nods once, turning to Elizabeth to gauge her reaction. She isn't saying anything-she still has that look on her face, like she's disappointed, but can't do anything about it. She's had that look ever since they'd rescued Sally-he doesn't know why, and she won't tell him. He remembers trying to ask her what was wrong on the way here, but she had just shrugged him off, saying that it wasn't important-what was important now was finding Ryan and ending this.
He agrees wholeheartedly- but that doesn't mean he can't worry about her. Because he does. He worries about her-about her constant mood shifts, about what she's thinking about, about-her. Her story doesn't add up, he knows it doesn't-she's lied to him since they met-and yet he can't help but trust her for some reason…
"You okay?"
The question jolts him back to reality. He turns and sees Elizabeth-she's looking at him, her slightly smeared, dark red lipstick coating the deep frown that twists her lips in a gesture of disapproval-or maybe worry. Her blue eyes narrow ever-so-slightly as she notices that she has his attention now, which she no doubt had been trying to get for a while now. Jack really wishes that he didn't find her so attractive-maybe then he'd be properly suspicious.
Wait...what?
"Jack!"
She snaps her fingers in his face, causing him to jump in surprise. "Uh, what?"
"Did you hear any of what I just said?"
"...No?"
Elizabeth groans. "I can't carry it by myself. I don't think I can carry it at all, in fact. You'll have to do it."
"What? Why me?"
In response, she grabs his upper arm and squeezes, looking at him pointedly. "Oh. That's why."
"Besides, you've taken down Big Daddies, Spider Splicers, and Peach Wilkens, who, by the way, was-should I say, insane-"
"As you've mentioned, a dozen times-" he mutters under his breath, which earns him a slap to the arm. "Ow!"
"My point is, I can't carry it. Hell, I can barely carry a fully-loaded shotgun. You'll have to do it."
"Okay, fine. You've made your point. But what about all my weapons? I can't just leave them here."
At this, Elizabeth pauses, her expression for the last two hours being replaced by one of deep thought as she ponders the answer to his question. "I can carry two. But the shotgun has to stay."
"What?! But-but I need the shotgun. It's my most powerful weapon!" he splutters indignantly.
"I can only carry two, Jack. Either two or the shotgun. Your choice."
Grumbling, Jack hefts a reluctant grunt of agreement. "Fine… take the pistol and my crossbow. I know you already have one, but that's more for knocking people out. I can still carry the wrench with the bomb."
"Great," Elizabeth grins, holstering the pistol and grabbing the other in both hands.
Jack places the bomb on the floor and casts one last forlorn glance at his shotgun resting on the table before leaving it behind to push the bomb out through the crawlspace of the hidden workshop. As he picks it up again on the other side, he looks to Elizabeth, who looks on, clearly amused.
"You're going to have to cover me," he points out, "You're the only one with the weapons, and I'll be carrying an actual bomb."
"Right."
"Ready then?"
Elizabeth nods, her finger already on the trigger of her crossbow. "I'm ready."
"Lead the way," Jack says, shifting his grip on the bomb in preparation.
With Elizabeth in the lead, the two head off down the corridor.
It's getting heavy, Well, not getting heavy-it was always heavy, but the bomb is starting to take its toll on Jack's arms. It isn't helping that he can barely carry it, either, despite being the one more qualified to do so.
Elizabeth isn't helping, either-she keeps yelling back at him to "hurry up," even though Jack's told her multiple times that he's going as fast as he can.
"Okay, hold up," Jack finally pants out, yelling ahead as he prepares to drop the bomb for a quick minute. "I need a break."
"Not so fast," Elizabeth calls back, not even slowing down as she answers him. "We're almost there. Just hang on for another ten minutes or so."
"Ten minutes?! No way. We're stopping for a few."
"Jack-"
"Listen, who here is carrying the bomb? I need a break, Liz. Now."
Elizabeth finally slows to a stop, looking back at her companion not ten feet away. "Fine," she says, finally relenting. She places her hands on her hips and frowns, clearly displeased at having to wait for Jack to catch up before she can begin moving again.
Screw her, Jack thinks.
At this point, he's just about had enough of her self-entitledness. But, for the sake of the mission, he'll suck it up.
"Just hold on, okay? This thing weighs a ton."
"Somehow I doubt that."
Jack doesn't respond; he simply rolls his eyes and prepares to carry the bomb once more.
"Well, here we are. Let's get this over with."
Jack nods once in agreement. "Would you like to do the honors, ma'am?" he asks jokingly.
Elizabeth glances to the bomb's control panel, then back at Jack with a somber expression on her face. "You know what? You should do it. I think you've earned it."
Jack can feel his face turn a startling shade of pink, and prays that she doesn't notice-but judging by the look on her face, he guesses it's already too late for that. "Uh. Gee. Thanks," he manages, not daring to look his companion in the eye.
He looks over the bomb's control panel, fumbling with the numerous dials and switches. He can hear Elizabeth growing more and more impatient the longer he fiddles with the bomb, her quiet huffs and the impatient tapping of her high heels against the cold, steel floor giving her away.
"Will you stop that?" he asks, after the third huff. "I'm trying to not blow us up here."
"Sorry," she mumbles half-heartedly. Somewhat satisfied with her answer, he returns to his work, only to be interrupted yet again a few moments later-though this time, not by Elizabeth.
"Are you almost there, boyo? Clock's a-tickin'."
Jack sighs, grabbing his radio off of his hip and speaking into it. "We're here, Atlas. I'm almost done setting up the bomb."
"Good. We don't have much time, so hurry it up."
"Will do," he says far too cheerily, "I live to serve."
He hears Atlas chuckle before he disconnects.
Thinking nothing of it, he returns to his work, trying his best to ignore what sounds like Elizabeth shuffling nervously beside him.
Finally, about three minutes later, the bomb is ready. Jack motions to Elizabeth to flip the switch that will overload the core, and she does so, quickly stepping back as sparks begin to fly from the machine, signaling to the both of them that their work is done and now it's time to run. Jack scans the room for a way out, and to his delight, he sees that the previously barred doorway is now unlocked, granting them an escape. Jack motions for Elizabeth to follow him through, and she does so, her hands over her head as she tries to avoid being fried.
Just then, the lights flicker out, and the two of them are plunged into darkness-or, they would be, had the light of the core not illuminated their way, although poorly.
"In here! Come on!" Jack calls to Elizabeth, hoping that she's smart enough to know how to follow his voice.
"In where? Jack, I can't see you! The lights went out!"
"I know that! Just-follow my voice!"
"I can barely hear your voice!"
Jack curses loudly, equipping his Incinerate! Plasmid and lighting a nearby surface on fire. He hears a loud scream-Elizabeth. He finally catches sight of her a few feet away...on the other side of the roaring fire he just created. By the look on her face, she's panicking-but she quickly calms down once she sees Jack. Realization soon dawns, however-and she's gone from relieved to pissed off.
"Jack, what the hell?! You could've hit me!"
"Sorry! I was trying to light up the room a bit more so I could find you!"
"A lot of good that would have done you if I was dead!"
"Will you stop whining for ten damn seconds and help me out here? We're kind of about to die here!"
Elizabeth looks like she's about to rip him a new one, but doesn't say anything, something which Jack is grateful for.
"Thank you. Now, let's see...the fire should die down in a couple of seconds-"
"Seconds that we don't have-"
Jack shoots her a glare, which effectively shuts her up once more. "Anyways, the best thing we can do is wait. I know-" he adds quickly, after seeing the panicked look on her face once more "-that we'r using up time we don't have, seeing as this section of Rapture is due to collapse at any moment now, but unless you're willing to ruin your nice outfit for the sake of survival-"
As soon as the words are out of his mouth, she straightens up, looking determined, and Jack knows what she's going to do even before she does it.
He's just fast enough to avoid getting knocked to the floor by Elizabeth as she leaps over the flames, her arms outstretched to break her fall. Jack instinctively holds out his arms to catch her.
Instead, she gracefully lands on her feet on the other side as if it were nothing. She moves past Jack, who watches her pass in disbelief.
"Put your arms down," she remarks, rather snidely, as she grins. "You look ridiculous."
Jack hastily straightens and drops his arms, grumbling under his breath.
"Are you going to whine, or are you coming with?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming…" Jack mumbles.
Before Elizabeth can mutter a retort, Jack's radio crackles to life, signaling an incoming message from Atlas.
"Christ, what a racket you're making down there! If you've surged the core, then there's only one more task to be done. Head on back to Ryan's gate and throw the circuit breaker. That'll let you right into his place."
Jack reaches for his radio to answer, but is cut off by the sudden noise of bullets hitting metal. Deciding to deal with Atlas later, Jack draws his pistol and fires around the corner, praying he hits his mark. A loud screech, followed by a thud, confirms he did, and he cautiously pokes his head around the corner, just to be sure.
"Jack!"
He jumps, whipping around and pointing his pistol at the offender-and comes face to face with Elizabeth, who upon seeing his face, goes from startled to disapproving.
"Seriously?"
"Sorry," Jack says sheepishly, lowering his pistol (but not holstering it). "You startled me."
"Well, I would hope so," Elizabeth remarks playfully. "Otherwise, I'd hate to have to put you down for betraying me."
"Hardy har-har," Jack snaps, mock-laughing. "Can we please get out of here now?"
"Gladly. Which way is the way out, again?"
Their conversation is interrupted by a stray bullet flying out of nowhere and hitting the wall next to Elizabeth's head. Fortunately, she's fast, and dodges the bullet just in time.
"What the hell?!" she screams, wildly searching for the source. "Jack, was that you?"
"Did you see me shoot?"
"...No?"
"It wasn't me, Liz. Clearly, we've got company…"
As soon as the words are out of his mouth, another bullet heads their way and collides with the wall, fortunately missing the both of them.
"Shoot back!" Elizabeth hisses.
"At what?!" Jack protests weakly. "I can't even see where it's coming from!"
"Uncivil, uncouth, uncultivated!" A screech echoes from somewhere to Jack's left. Instinctively, Jack turns and fires, and cringes when he shoots the wall instead.
Elizabeth leans over and studies the bullet mark, "Did you at least give the wall a chance to surrender?"
"Look, who's holding the gun here?" Jack demands, weary of her banter.
"An unqualified soul, obviously."
Fuming, Jack levels the gun and fires. With a thud, the body hits the floor.
Jack lowers the pistol and smiles at the downed Splicer that had attacked them from across the corridor.
"Unqualified, eh?" Jack smirks at Liz, twirling the gun around his finger. To his dismay, it slides off the tip, and he fumbles forward to catch it.
Elizabeth raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I stand by my earlier remark."
Jack simply glares. "Are we going to get out of here, or are we going to bicker and complain? Because I don't know if you've noticed, Liz, but this place is falling apart, and I'd rather not become a permanent resident of this godforsaken hellhole."
As if on cue, a light overhead busts, sending sparks raining down on the two of them. Elizabeth screams, immediately covering her head with her hands as Jack takes most of the damage by stepping in front of her and using himself as a shield. While it does protect Elizabeth from the danger of catching on fire, Jack isn't so lucky-he and Elizabeth spend the next few minutes frantically patting out the small fire that has sprouted on Jack's sweater.
Once the danger has passed, Jack turns to his companion, clearly agitated. "See what I mean?" he practically shouts, pointing up at where the light used to be. "We need to get out of here, or we're dead."
Something in Elizabeth's expression makes him think that she believes they're already dead, but if that's the case, she doesn't say it. She simply nods, reaching into her satchel and pulling out her trusty lead pipe, already bent sideways from bashing so many people's heads in. "Then what are we standing around for?"
A sudden (and convenient) scream shatters the illusion of silence as both jump at the sudden noise and ready their weapons.
"Hoarder. Hoarder! You HOARDER!"
Jack steps back a bit, turning to Elizabeth with a knowing grin and bowing a bit while gesturing to the corner, where the deranged woman is sure to be waiting for them. "After you. Ladies first, and all that."
Elizabeth graces him with a playful smirk and an eyeroll as she elbows him in the side as she passes him, muttering, "Such a gentleman…"