Chapter 48

Beca's POV

My grip on Chloe's hand tightens, but for some strange reason, I'm not scared. Maybe it's because I've faced death too many times.

"Die?" Stacie cries. "Why would they die?"

"The serums that were created so far have proven to be very powerful. The human body and mind was not made to handle that sort of power. Chloe has a bigger chance of living because seers are still currently present in the family tree, but Beca, hers go way back. It's just a theory though. Anything could happen." Jessica explains all of this in a business manner, probably coming off cold to everyone. To me though, I know it's just who she is. She cares, she just can't show it as well.

"Look, let's not worry about that. Right now, we need to focus on taking Dr. Fergus down. He's not going to let Beca go easily and if he learns about me, he'll fight even harder." Chloe's stern voice calms the tension that was building. "Now, how are we going to do this?"

"The only way would be to kill him," Jesse growls, his hands curled into fists already aching for a fight. "We do that and everything can go back to the way it was."

"We can't just go in guns blazing," Theo argues. "Dr. Fergus has hundreds of experiments which he won't be afraid to use against us. Just ask Beca." Everyone's heads turn toward me and I nod, my mind going back to the dragon and the pain it caused. My ribs which were crushed by the dragon, have mended completely, but the memory is enough to make me wince.

"So we break in and he uses his experiments against us. As long as we get to him, kill him, we'll be fine." Aubrey joins in but Chicago shakes his head.

"That leaves experiments that we can't handle and shouldn't be alive, in our hands."

"So we let him bring the fight to us," I suggest and hate the way I can't help but blush at the sudden attention. "We send a message to him, get him to meet us somewhere and then, well, kill him and whoever he brings with him."

"Where?" Eli speaks up.

"The waterfall," Chloe says, saying it before I can. "It's concealed from humans so anything that happens stays within our knowledge group. Plus, they'll be safe from whatever goes down."

"What about the other experiments?" Emily whispers.

"Is that building only used for the lab or are any other businesses based there?" I ask Theo and he shakes his head.

"There are a few empty floors to put up a front for other businesses, but it's only used for lab work. The whole building belongs to Dr. Fergus."

"If you could, would you be able to get a hold of the staff there when we have Dr. Fergus at the waterfall?" Theo nods. "When we do this, you need to convince as many as you can to get out of the building. Then, we'll blow it up."

"Um.. What?" Laura, Chloe's mom, asks.

"We split up," Chloe jumps onto my plan, getting the idea. "Some of us go to the waterfall, the ones who can fight, and confront the doctor. The others go to the building, maybe grab intel on Beca and I and then blow it up. It makes sense. Take care of two problems at once. I hate having to create so much destruction, but from what you guys have said, none of those experiments have any humanity left in them if they even had any to begin with."

"Who all should we involve in this?" Eli asks and I shrug.

"Everyone we can. I know that when we contact Dr. Fergus to meet us at the waterfall, we're gonna need all the help we can get."

"I can get the pack together and some others. There are a few rogues who might join in as well."

"Good because most of Dr. Fergus's experiments are strong, not to mention creepy."

"We have to do this fast," Chloe says and I agree.

"Fast is better," a familiar voice says and I look towards the doorway. The dark haired man standing there brings back memories, good and bad. One of the most horrible nights of my life was caused by him and broke something inside of me that may never be fixed.

"Dad," Chicago moves toward our father who puts up a hand, stopping him.

"It's okay son. I'm prepared to take whatever she deals to me." Chris Mitchell, my dad who I thought was dead, comes over to me. I stand up, my hand coming apart from Chloe's but she stands up as well.

"How?" I ask but when he opens his mouth to answer, I stop him. "I don't want to know right now." For a few minutes, we just stand there, me simmering slowly as the memories threaten to take over. Without any warning, my hand flies out on instinct and slaps him across the face. Chris flies backwards and hits the ground. Chicago steps forward and helps him up, but nobody says anything. Instead, they make a path so I can get through. With Chloe close behind me, I storm outside, my emotions creating a thunderstorm throughout my body.

"Beca," Chloe calls out and I swirl around.

"Did you know?" The look she gives me is all the answer I need. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Beca, I just got you back. I wanted to give you time and I was in no rush to see him either. Please, don't hate me. It's been a year since I've seen you. For a year, I was convinced you were dead. It's going to take some time getting back to how things were."

"You should've told me," tears stream down my face. The only words I can think are that she should've told me. The shock from what I just learned isn't allowing anything else.

"You have to understand that I just learned he was alive and then a little while later, that you were. I chose one to focus on and that was you. I will always choose you." Sobbing, I hang my head and allow Chloe to wrap me in a hug.

"I'm sorry. It's just, seeing him there after all this time. The last time I saw him, he was laying on the floor after being shot."

"I know. The reason why is enough that he deserves to be slapped across the face a hundred times worse than what you just dealt him."

"Why is he back? How? I thought he was dead. Does this mean that my mom-"

"No. She's dead thankfully. Your dad… well, whenever you're ready, I'll let him talk to you. You deserve an explanation from him."

"Does that have to be anytime soon?" I bury my face in Chloe's neck and she chuckles.

"Take all the time you need. Well, preferably before we go off into war, but whatever works." Not having anything else to say, I just nod and hold on tighter.

"Do you think this will work?" Chloe's voice suddenly seems tiny and it shakes with fear. "The plan? I mean, are we walking into a death trap?" I pull away and set my hands on Chloe's face.

"If we don't do this, we'll have to run forever. Hell, if we do this we may have to run forever. As long as we're together, it'll work out."

"Hmm."

"What?" Chloe's lips stretch into a grin.

"I wouldn't be opposed to going on the run with you. Just you and me, I've wanted that for a while."

"Oh yeah?" Chloe nods and leans down. When our lips meet, it's like the whole world disappears. It's just me and Chloe, exactly how it was meant to be. My whole body thrums with excitement and I suddenly wish that we were back in our room upstairs. Sadly, we have to pull apart before it gets too heated. Who knows who's watching us from the window?

"After this is all over," Chloe starts, "I don't think I want to go back."

"Go back where?"

"To the school. We were supposed to be together from beginning to the end. Now I'm a year ahead of you."

"Let's face it baby. I probably would've flunked out and worked at the radio station my whole life while you became a veterinarian or something amazing like that."

"Oh shut it. You're one of the smartest people I know." Chloe's blue eyes sparkle with a mixture of amusement and sadness.

"It's not that I think I'm dumb. I just don't think I would've liked it. High school was hell for me and college probably would've been the same. School just wasn't meant for me. You though, you have the brains and the motivation. Don't let my "dying" for a year hold you back. I'll still hang with you. I'm not going anywhere."

"I know," Chloe sighs. "It's not that. It's just, I don't want to spend god knows how many years doing school and then working my tail off for my whole life and barely getting to see you. I want to be with you, all day everyday. I don't want to waste anytime just wasting away with school. For once, I want to live and not have any regrets."

"Darling, I love that but don't you think that you'll get tired of me eventually? I mean, I'm a handful sometimes."

"Don't I know it. So what do you say? After all of this is over, just me, you and the world. Money might be tight, but we could do it." I grin and smash my mouth against Chloe's.

"God, I love you."

"So that's a yeah?" I look at the love of my life and wink.

"That's a hell yeah." With regret, I turn towards the house. "First things first, I go face my father. Then, we kill that son of a bitch."

"After that?" Chloe's beautiful eyes meet mine.

"We live the life that we deserve. Together." Our hands find their way to each other. "Let's do this thing."