Fuse passed a woman, a child crying in the shopping cart as they walked down the aisle. It was rare for him to be out like this, but he had a goal to accomplish. He didn't dare tell Havoc what he was doing, already knowing how she would react. In all honesty, he wasn't sure what motivated him to step into the corner shop, but the urge had been strong and the purpose worth the effort. Yes, Havoc would definitely not approve.
The thought of his sister made him pause, hand absently picking up a chocolate bar and putting it back. It had been three weeks since he had picked her up from their old home. The Hood had been less than pleased after learning they had acquired a Tracy and hadn't brought him back for better use. The only consolation was they had returned with the fuel from the factory.
Fuse had spent the better part of a week trying to get Havoc to cheer up. He didn't blame her for thinking the worst after the explosion. He might have had the same thought if he'd seen her in the same situation. All he needed was for her to see that. The first night, he'd stayed with her as she sat on the bed, refusing to even look at him. Fuse gradually coaxed her into a hug, rocking her until she fell asleep. He hadn't done that in years. He'd actually thought their training had burned it out of them.
The next week, however, had gone in a completely different and unexpected direction. She hit him. And not just their usual training punches. There was anger behind it, and his broken nose was still in the process of healing. She'd yelled at him afterwards, most of which he didn't hear through the ringing in his ears. "You almost died trying to save the enemy!" And that was it. She had barely talked to him since. Instead, Havoc was burying herself in missions and assisting the Hood with his various projects. He wasn't entirely sure what those entailed, but he was starting to question the effects they were having on her.
Finding the section of the shop he needed, he let his eyes roam over the selection, his mind somewhere else. Fuse knew he would eventually find a way to win his sister back. The waiting was the hardest, though. He could only remember one other time they'd been separated this long and it had been for the purposes of a mission. At least then, there had been some occasional contact. Maybe some sweets and one of her favorite movies was in order. Their last movie night was nearly a year ago. Yes. That would be his first step. He made a mental note to pocket some of the chocolate bars.
Fuse returned to his task, glancing over the cards. His eyes fell on a specific one, pulling it out of the rack to get a better look. He let out a loud chuckle, smiling as he grabbed the envelope to accompany it. It was perfect. He slid the pair into the inner pocket of his jacket before returning to the previous aisle and grabbing an assortment of chocolates. Those found their way into another hidden pocket. He grinned as he walked out, revelling in the childhood memories of missions just like this. Havoc would have loved it. After things had calmed down, maybe he'd bring her to a shop and they could relive those old days. Simpler days. Ones without torture.
OoOoOoO
Gordon sat on his bed sorting through the pile of cards they had just picked up. Scott had offered to help organize them, to which Gordon agreed, but as the alert from the lounge sounded, he knew it would be a while.
It had been just over a month since his ordeal and he was nearly back to his typical self. International Rescue had survived after a lengthy meeting between the brothers. In the end, they had left the deciding vote up to Gordon. He had to be okay with the risks they would be facing. That had been an easy end to a long day. Now, he was stuck on monitoring duty when the need called for it. Virgil had insisted he stay grounded until they could run some stress tests to ensure he was ready to go back out. A good idea that he wished they would get over with already.
He picked up a card, one of the few with his name on it. Just one card while he waited for his brothers to return wouldn't hurt. Tearing open the envelope, he pulled the card out and laughed. He hadn't expected anything like this. As he opened it, the laughter stopped. The first words were enough to send a chill up his spine, his breath catching in his throat.
Hey, Squid-boy. The purple ink was scrawled above a simple message. Hope you're feeling better. And signed, with an F. There was no mistaking who this was from.
Gordon threw the card to the end of the bed, as though it had bit him. Amber eyes stared unblinking at it, feeling the tension draw across his shoulders. Why? What was the point? They were enemies… or at least on opposing sides. His sister had-
Gordon cut that thought off before it could go any further, closing his eyes to focus on the images of his brothers. This had been his process for dealing with the flashbacks. Although, less frequent, the images could still be intense. Taking a slow, deliberate breath, he opened his eyes to look at the card once more. The fire calmed slightly at the image of the smiling whale on the front. Tentatively, he reached forward, picking it back up. He had to admit, it was a pretty amazing get well card. Realization hit as he looked at it, reading the inside once more. Fuse had actually put some thought into this. Whether it was to mess with him or express genuine concern, he wasn't quite sure, but this was certainly a card that had 'Gordon' written all over it.
Havoc's words floated back to him, much like they did most nights. You changed him… He honestly thought you were trying to help him... Had he really effected Fuse that much? Enough that the purple clad thief would risk his own life to make sure Gordon got out safe? It sounded ridiculous… but then Brains had examined the beacon they had followed to find him. It was nothing like any transmitter they were familiar with. The triangular icon on the side had been enough to quiet any doubts as to who had tipped them off.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth the longer he thought about all that had occurred. Maybe Fuse had changed… which meant a small chance at stopping whatever the Hood had planned next for his family.
Finding that he had calmed greatly from his earlier anger, he turned the card over and laughed. Written on the back, in the bottom right hand corner was a small message. PS - I absolutely didn't steal this card. Great… now he was an accomplice to larceny. That wouldn't do. Maybe he could get Penelope to do some digging for him.
Sighing, he opened the binder that lay next to him. Grabbing the scissors, he cut off the front of the card, tossing the other half into the trash. No matter what Fuse had meant by the message, he couldn't keep proof that the villain had sent it, or that he was keeping it. Pulling off a piece of double sided tape, he quickly attached the image to the new page in the back of the book. It was a silent hope for the beginning of an end to his family's hardship.
Gordon gave the picture one last look, Get Whale Soon. He was unable to prevent the small laugh as he closed the book. Pushing it aside, returned to sorting the trinkets that kept him and his family going.
Oo*****oOo*****oO
Hope yall have enjoyed this story! I love the potential friendship between Gordon and Fuse so much! I would love to do more with this story line, so maybe I'll find a way to get them together again! :D
Thanks to everyone who read and commented, keeping me motivated to write more!
