Thanks for the reviews! It really motivates me to keep writing. I've got a lot of plans for this story, there will be more action soon.
But of course, combined with the story about Vinnie and Violet. Hope you guys stay with me and keep giving me your opinion.

So, this chapter is a little bit shorter than usual, that's because it's kinda of a 'in between' chapter.

Chapter ten

The next few weeks, nothing really special happened. Vinnie was busy with training his group and surprise, surprise… they improved really fast. Vinnie gave it a few days until they were ready to join the patrol group.
Gaya, who never rode a bike before, showed that with determination you can achieve everything. She practised every free moment of the day beside the training and with Vinnie's help, she became a very good rider.
Jake was indeed a very good racer and stunter. Vinnie never said it though, no need to blow up the boy's ego. His fight skills improved fast, he was a fast learner, and also very smart. He was very good with computers and stuff.

Flint was at the start the most experienced. But he was stubborn and couldn't handle authority very well, especially when it came from Vinnie. So, after a few fights, Vinnie dismissed him from the group because of Flint's lack of respect and handled him over to Carbine. Unfortunately for Flint, he was now stuck at the base, not allowed to go with the rest of the group when they were ready. Vinnie didn't care. He hated the guy and they couldn't be in one room together, let alone work together on a battlefield.

And Violet? She was good at everything, eager to learn and improve. Well, almost everything. When it came to shooting practice, there appeared to be a problem. Everytime she tried to fire a gun, she froze. Vinnie was trying to figure out why, but she refused to talk about it. It seemed to be a result from a trauma, because she freezes and have some sort of panic attack. Vinnie was the only one who could calm her down when this happened. He was determined to find out what the reason for this behaviour was, because freezing on a battlefield never ended well.

Modo and Throttle did a lot of patrols and attacks on the Plutarkians. They didn't say it out loud, but they missed their cheerful bro in the battlefield. It just wasn't the same without him. But by the looks of things, he soon would join them again. The spare free time they had, they spend together.

Vinnie looked almost back to his usual, cheery self. But there were rare moments he suddenly exploded again. But most of the time he was the happy note of the three. Throttle and Modo knew that he was everything but alright. They never asked again how he was feeling, but they were keeping an eye on him. When the time was right, they were there for him.

The relationship between Vinnie and Violet didn't chance. They were friends, but nothing more happened. Violet still wanted more, but she promised that she will give him time.

Vinnie still didn't talk about his feelings. He even never mentioned Charley's name again. It was almost like she never had existed. But everybody knew better. Vinnie was still in silent pain.

Vinnie walked out of Carbine's office after giving her an update about his group. Carbine gave the green light that they could join the patrol group tomorrow. He felt satisfied that he, the one with the less self control, achieved to train this group so well. Carbine even gave him a compliment, albeit with a frown on her face. Vinnie smiled, knowing how she hated it to say something nice to him, to boost his ego.
He walked to the training dock and saw Gaya and Violet practising their fighting skills. Jake was sitting on the side, doing something on his little hand computer.
Vinnie whistled. "Yo guys, come over here!" The group stopped with what they were doing and walked over to Vinnie.
"I just had a little conversation with General Carbine, and I've got some good news. Tomorrow is the day! You guys can join the patrol group. When everything is going well, maybe we can go with the next attack. I'm sure am, because I have so much adrenaline in my system, I'll probably explode if I'll wait much longer. Are you guys up to it?"
Gaya and Jake nodded, looking happy to take their training to the next level. Time for the real work. Violet looked a little hesitant. Vinne looked at her.
"Let's talk Vi. Gaya and Jake, resume your training." Vinnie took Violet with him to an empty office.
"So, tell me", Vinnie said when they sat at the table. "What is holding you back, sweetheart?"
Violet sighed and looked out of the window, trying very hard to avoid to look Vinnie in the eye. She didn't know what to say. That she was scared? That she didn't know if she could do it? What will happen if they will be attacked during patrol and she even couldn't fire a gun?
Vinnie looked at her with worry in his eyes, but felt the same uncomfortable feeling. He was so not good at this. This was something Throttle would handle, not him. Heck, he blows up stuff when he was upset, not the best example for a good talk about emotions. But he knew he had to try. Otherwise, Violet could get hurt, or something worse. He took a deep breath.
"Violet, please. Tell me what is on your mind?"
Violet played with a pen on the table. "I'm scared…", she said, so softly Vinnie almost missed it. He gently took her hand, surprised at his own behaviour.
"It's okay to be scared. You're not the first and definitely not the last."
Violet nodded. "What if…" She trailed off, looking at her hand in Vinnie's. She swallowed. "What if I must fire a gun and freeze again?", she whispered.
Vinnie had to ask. "Why are you freezing?"
Violet shook her head, overwhelmed by emotions. A flash of a memory of her holding a gun, ready to pull the trigger, pointed at someone she thought she could trust with her life, she deeply loved. And then, pulling the trigger, the backlash, blood… so much blood… She jumped at her feet abruptly and stormed out of the room.

Vinnie stayed behind, a little perplexed. Guess we all have our demons, he thought sadly. He immediately saw the image of Charley. He sighed. The pain in his chest was still there, everyday when he woke up, it was the first thing he felt. Will it ever going to be better? Probably not.
He pushed his pain away, thinking about Violet. He couldn't let her join the patrol tomorrow if she was unable to fire a gun. That would be a big mistake. He had no choice to inform Carbine about his decision. Until Violet was ready to talk about her problems, she must remain on the base. Vinnie knew that this was the best option, the safest. Violet will understand. Right?

He walked to Carbine's office and without knocking, he opened the door. What he saw made him stop. Throttle and Carbine, pulling hasty some clothes on with red cheeks.
"Tjeez Vinnie, ever heard of knocking?!", Carbine yelled, putting back her shirt on. Vinnie just stood there, and didn't know wether to laugh or to puke. It kinda felt walking in on his parents or something. But the looks on their faces was pure gold.
Throttle quickly zipped his pants, shaking his head. Oh man, he was never going to hear the end of this.
"What do you want?!", Carbine asked with a high tone in her voice.
Vinnie cleared his throat. "Ehm.. yeah.. I wanted to tell you that Violet can't come with the patrol tomorrow. Like I've told you in our last conversation, she freezes when she have to fire a gun. I've thought about it, and this is the best option in my humble opinion", Vinnie explained, unusual serious.
Carbine stared at him, still a little off because she was busted with Throttle. By Vinnie. Could this day get any worse?
"Oh. Yeah, I remember you've said that. Do you know why she freezes?", she asked.
Vinnie shrugged. "I've tried to find out, but everytime I ask, she gets upset and runs away."
Throttle gave an humorless laugh. "That sounds oddly familiar." Vinnie glared at him, but said nothing. He didn't had the strength for another interrogation from Throttle about his feelings.
"Anyway, I've decided she must stay at the base until we can solve her problem. It's not safe for her otherwise", Vinnie said.
Carbine smiled. "That's unusual thoughtful off you. Maybe you are finally growing up."
Vinnie stuck out his tongue. "Don't get your hopes up, babe. But it seems you guys know everything about it.. maybe you can teach me?", and he wiggled his eyebrows.
Carbine growled. "Get out!"
Vinnie winked at her and quickly left the room, loud laughing.

Carbine and Throttle looked at each other and smiled. Throttle took her hand.
"You can't change him, Carbine. I hope you know that."
Carbine nodded. "I know. But you can't blame me for trying."
Throttle kissed her. "Now, where were we?", and without letting her go, he locked the door.

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