Chapter 4
Head Quarters was a very big building disguised as a high profit cell phone company. Granted I don't particularly care for the company they hide behind but we are forced to be consumers of this over priced company. We entered through the front door; two guys, both wearing almost the same colors. We both walked to the elevators in the back and waited for them to open. I think I should ask him about revealing our relationship to the others. I looked over at him to see his eyes focused on his watch.
Edd: Kev-
The bell rang saying that the elevator was here. We walked in, just the two of us. The soft music played on as we descended under the building. The silence was nerve racking; why is this making me so unsettled?
Kevin: In the building we are lovers and co-workers. I won't be as sexual as I normally am at home but I will kiss you or make out with you behind closed doors or in front of our superiors and colleagues.
I was stunned looking at him. Please, for the love of all that is good in this world not try anything over the top in front of our superiors!
Edd: Why in front of everybody?!
Kevin: Well, wasn't that what you were trying to ask me before we got in here?
Edd: Indeed it is but-
Kevin cornered me put his hands on my hips, he started to lift my hat. I grabbed it hastily pulling it back down on my head.
Edd: Do not remove my hat, please.
Kevin: Is there a reason why I nor nobody else has ever seen you without a hat?
Edd: Only my parents and the organization superiors have seen me without my hat.
Kevin: Well, I would like to see that, some day.
He turned my head and kissed me cheek softly. He made me angry trying to take off my hat, for a neat and anal person that I am I cannot tame these raven coloured locks I call hair. It's always been like that since I was a child. Mother would try to hold them in place with many methods and many different hair products that claimed to keep unruly, wild hair tamed and workable. We gave up after a number of tries and Father bought me a hat to hide it under since looking at it made me cry. But ever since then I haven't been seen without my signature black hat or my white and red fedora.
Edd: I highly doubt it Kevin. If neither Eddy nor Ed have seen me without what makes you so sure that you'll get that chance?
Kevin:Because, I want to know everything about you, even the parts you don't like.
Edd: Will you give the same for me? It's only logical that you want to know about me, no matter the circumstances, that I would want to learn the same of you.
Kevin: Of course. I'm an open book to you and only you.
Edd: I'll hold you to it.
I reached up and gave hims a peck on the lips. Pulling away I smiled at him and the doors opened to our floor. The underground room was home to us assassins. The room held several monitors that displayed list, longer than the Nile River, of targets up for grabs, in progress of being killed or are dead due to the seven top dog assassins in our group. Nazz Walked by with Ralph in their assassins attire. Nazz wore all black leather showing several of her womanly parts that were scarcely covered in bright pink. She carried her, what seemed to be, new katana. Nazz had went to Japan for her fathers' wedding to his new wife. Nazz loved it there and stayed there for several years, speaking from her attire, her fighting skills and how she casually dresses off work hours, she was highly influenced by their culture.
Ralph was almost the same way. He was shrouded in dark purple cloak lined with ox fur around the collar. The jeweler he wore was hand-made by his grandmother from their native land, it consisted or pure gold beads and skulls and bones from deceased chickens. He carried around a gold staff that adorned a massive chicken skull with several blue feathers. He also wore his signature purple hat that was worn from the years. I also had that same blue feather and chicken skull but with a larger white feather that he says his great-grandfather used to kill no good outsiders. They stopped and saw us standing at the elevators.
Nazz: Hey guys!
She pranced over to us and hugged us in unison.
Kevin: Hey Nazz.
Edd: Greetings Blonde Widow.
She pulled away with her hands on her hips and her pink lips pursed out.
Nazz: Double Dee, how many times do I have to tell you dude, we may be at work but can you stop using my code name all the time?
Edd: Sorry, I'm still trying to get used to it.
She looked confused. I take it she doesn't know about me and Kevin being together, being as they are close friends. Ralph walked over to us and smiled.
Ralph: Greetings smart Double Dee Edd boy, I heard that Sarah and Jimmy gave you hard time during target mission last night, no?
Edd: Sadly yes, Jimmy left a scaring wound on me as a result.
Nazz: That must be a nasty scar dude.
Eddy: It will be after it heals.
Ralph: But, you being big medical surgeon, you had no problem patching yourself up yes?
That was the thing, I didn't.
Edd: Actually, I didn't. Kevin did.
They looked at him with shock and wonderment at his assistance in aiding my medical attention to my battle injury. Nazz and Ralph Looked at one another and then at us.
Nazz: Wait a minute. Kevin, A.K.A Ranger K, the ruthless, bullet shootin' and top assassin here...
She stopped and pointed at him.
Nazz:...helped you with an injury?
Edd: Yes. He wasn't very subtle about it and his application was sub par, however he did superbly in caring for me and my injury.
I smiled in his direction showing my gratitude. He replied by scratching the back of his head and trying to his the flush forming on his face. Ralph walked over to him and patted his back rather heavily causing him to lose breath and stumble forward a little. Ralph is a rather heavy handed guy.
Ralph: Kevin, follow Ralph I must talk to you.
Kevin: Bro, righ-
Ralph: Now.
The base in his voice made a sinister feel in the room. As Ralph started to walk away, Kevin sighed in defeat and turned to me. He pecked me on the lips and ran off with Ralph. It left me a little lonely, but I knew he'd see me again before he had to leave for his mission. Nazz grabbed my hand and smiled.
Nazz: Let's walk and talk.
Looking down at my watch, I saw that I had a little more time before having to meet the guys. I nodded and we walked through the base of HQ. We reached her desired destination which was the ornate garden provided for her in consideration from the organization. They provide a section for each of their assassins to make them feel a bit more comfortable, it's also a means for relaxation or work purposes. We sat on our knees at a small table drinking tea playing mahjong. This is the third game and I've lost each one.
Nazz: So...
Breaking the silence she spoke. I had a feeling what this conversation was going to be about.
Nazz:...you and Kevin eh?
Edd: Yes, we are in a relationship.
Nazz: When did he ask?
In a means he really didn't ask; I wanted his feet off of my clean counter top and he served me an ultimatum which a retaliated with one of my own. But keeping that tid bit o information out, I answered her question.
Edd: He was persistent and hinting at it all night-
Nazz: I didn't know he knew were you lived?
Edd: Neither did I.
Nazz: He chose a great guy to be with.
She smile sincerely towards my direction. She's a very darling sweetheart, she always has kind words to say about almost everybody, whether it's her target of her most hated rival, who is Sarah. She must applaud him, not only for Kevin going after a target that he wanted to shower in love and affection, but for also admitting and showing his sexual orientation when it comes to relationships. I took a long sip of my tea hiding the heat that was making it's was to my face.
Nazz: Aw c'mon, neither of you should be embarrassed. You two look cute together.
Edd: Thank you Nazz.
Nazz: I do have to ask you though, do you feel as strongly about him as he does to you?
I looked at her with my naturally wide eyes. She had asked me something that I've asked myself since last night. Did I feel the same for him as he did for me? I mean, I admit to liking the feelings that I get from him touching and kissing me, but those are physical feelings that anybody can administer, however I doubt that the emotional feeling I get from it will be the same.
Edd: Honestly, my answer may contradict how we've been since last night-
Nazz: Did you guys...?
She was hinting at whether we had intercourse on our first night as a couple. Which of course we didn't due to my rules. I momentarily started thinking about it and how we'd be during said action, or rather various actions. I felt my entire face heat up as I kept imagining it in my head. Seeig the smug on her face made me a little shy and uneasy. I started flailing my arms.
Edd: N-no we did nothing of the sort...
I put my hand in my lap and looked down avoiding her devious gaze.
Edd: I told him that I wasn't yet ready for something like that, he said he'd wait till I was ready.
Nazz: That was sweet of him. Ya know, Kevin's not one to normally help with anything unless it benefits him, but I guess you know that all too well huh?
Edd: Indeed.
Nazz: But for him to help him with your injury and to stay overnight at your place is strange to me and Ralph.
Edd: I found it quite intriguing myself, we slept in the same bed and I thought that he was going to leave during the night.
Nazz: Yeah. But to see how much you've affected him, and in a positive way, is good for him and for us as his friends and co-workers.
She was right on that fact. I do see that he's a little more different when we came in, and how he was with me since last night. Even though I'm still questioning my emotions for him, I do want to make him feel happy. I peered down at my watch to see that I had only a bit of time to meet the guys and leave for New York.
Edd: I do apologize Nazz, but I have a mission to get to and I'm pressed for time.
Nazz: Oh, no problem.
We both stood and walked to the entrance and put our shoes on. Once that was done we headed to my section where I saw Ed and Eddy fondling with my jarred specimens. Again, the organization gave us each an individual space for our own use. Being a surgeon my space looked similar to a doctor's office it had an examining table and medicine cabinets, everything an aspiring doctor such as myself could ever need.
Edd: Ed, Eddy, you put that down this instant!
Ed, as usual when caught in the act of tom foolery, dropped the jar smashing it to pieces and having the contents that belonged in the jar be exposed to oxygen which wasn't good for the lambs kidney I was preserving for a young girl in Guam. I laid my hand on my face in pure anger and short tolerance. Nazz put her hand on my shoulder.
Nazz: I'll leave you here with your friends to do what you do.
She hugged me quickly before running down the hall in her high fashion high heels. She shouldn't do that, not only is it hazardous but the sound her heels make when she hits the marble flooring is quite irritating. I opened the glass door to my makeshift doctors office and stepped in.
Ed: Sorry Double Dee.
Edd: It's fine Ed...
walking over to him and grabbing his ear making him crouch over leveling him to my height.
Edd: The next time you play with my things again young man I'll have you sit in the corner.
Ed: Yes Double Dee!
He let out light sobs with tears brimming at the corners of his eyes. I can't stay mad at him, he means well but it comes at a price. I patted him on the head returning that goofy smile on his face once again
Eddy: You were almost late.
Edd: I know, my apologies but Nazz wanted to talk to me.
Eddy: About your boyfriend no less.
Seeing his reaction to my current relationship status to Kevin, Eddy is still giving me the cold shoulder. I sighed, not only angry with Eddy being the way he is because of me and Kevin, but also because of the three months of work on that lambs kidney is down the tubes.
Edd: Eddy, that's enough. Normally I can tolerate your demeanor when things don't go your way but I won't this time. I understand that you and Kevin have a strong rivalry, however you will be considerate to him while we are together. Am I clear.
I put my foot down sharing my feelings with Eddy. I can't have him trying to start altercations with Kevin knowing that he can't do anything back. Actually, I don't want either of them to do anything rash and idiotic just because of their strong dislike towards one another. He stared at me with a childish look of petty anger. Even though were in our mid twenties, I'm surprised he's not rolling around acting like a child throwing a temper tantrum. Huffing he turned his head and folded his arms over his chest.
Eddy: Fine, but if the motor creep breaks your heart don't come crying to me.
Edd: As you say Eddy. Where's the information on our target?
Eddy: Here. The mans name is Martin Shern.
He handed me a manilla folder. I took it and opened. There were several pictures of him and a document stating his occupation, various addresses, marital status, car registrations and the list goes on further. Our assignment was to Kill him in one fatal shot during a party in three days in New York. I closed it and put the papers in my traveling briefcase.
Eddy: The organization is letting us use their private jet, we won't have to pay for fuel if we finish the job.
I closed the briefcase and held my jaw open. Do you have any idea how much jet fuel costs these days?! I would have to do dozens of major operations to just pay it off, Ed would have perform every minute of every single day, and Eddy...well he'll be doing what he's been doing since we were kids; trying to scam unsuspecting people. In laymen terms, it would take years beyond years to pay that fuel off.
Edd: They made you agree to that condition didn't they?
Eddy: Had no choice but to, they were steamed when we failed the last mission.
Ed: They were also mad that you got hurt Double Dee! They tried scolding baby sister for it-
Eddy: But she snapped on them and almost destroyed their office.
Ed: Then baby sister yelled at me Double Dee!
He fells to his knees and started crying, leaving tear stains on my pants.
Edd: Come now Ed, stand up and be a big boy.
He did as told and we talked as we left my office. We walked back towards the elevators talking about how to kill Martin Shern. Of course I suggested my usual methods of poison, being a doctor, a pacifist and being more capable of getting close to him and making the job a breeze, though Eddy was more concerned with the money and the things he had planned with it. That's all he thinks about is the money really. As we walked I seen Jimmy and Sarah walking towards us. I cringed at the sight of them both walking in their traditional Shakespeare play attire that was also their work attire. Jimmy fashioned blue, white and gold as to Sarah who fashion a salmon pink, white and gold. They both wore these masks that look liked animated skulls that were painted white with black X's and one eyes whole with black netting in for eyesight. Upon sight, Jimmy did a cart-wheel to where he landed right in front of me. He grabbed my hands in his and with an apologetic smile he started talking.
Jimmy: Oh I'm sorry Double Dee! I honestly didn't mean to hurt you that badly yesterday! I was trying to move the needle over to kill the body guard behind you.
Edd: Jimmy, my boy calm down, no harm no foul.
Jimmy: But I saw all that blood coming from you-
He fainted remembering the sight of all the blood that poured from my arm. I caught him and lifted him to his feet but he seems to be completely unconscious.
Sarah: Ed!
He stood at attention in front of his younger sister.
Ed: Yes baby sister!
Sarah: Carry Jimmy for.
Ed: Yes baby sister!
He did as told and carried Jimmy like a bride. Eddy jumped in at this point as he normally did and protested at Eds' submissive demeanor towards his younger sister.
Eddy: Beat it Sarah, and take sleeping beauty here with you, we have a mission to do today!
Sarah: Can it shrimp! he's my brother and he does what I tell him to do!
Eddy: Over my dead body!
He's provoking her, again. Sarah responded with a hand stand with one foot pointed in the air and the other pointed at his face. I knew that this was bad because they have tiny needles placed all over their bodies that only their aware of. Just shaking their hand is dangerous enough. I walked over to Ed who was holding Jimmy. I reached in my inner coat pocket and pulled out a small vile of smelling salts. I use it on Ed most of the time when he gets knocked out my brutes smaller than him. This vile had petals from different flowers from past missions that took us halfway around the world. I held it up to his nose and waved it around. His eyes started to flutter open and he looked up with weary eyes.
Jimmy: What happened?
Edd: You fainted Jimmy. Set on him feet Ed.
Following my directions Ed lowered Jimmy to the floor. He was a tad wobbly on his feet. Sarah ignored Eddy and ran over to Jimmy hugging him and consoling him.
Sarah: Jimmy are you ok?!
Jimmy: Sarah, I had a dream that I was in a field of daisies.
Edd: How are you feeling Jimmy?
He looked at me and hugged me full of joy.
Jimmy: Thank you Double Dee!
Sarah: Yes thanks.
Sarah thanks me by standing on the tips of her toes in her ballet shoes and kissed my cheek and hugged me. I don't know why but Sarah has been smitten with me since I found her lost earing when we were kids. She was so distraught without it, how could I bear to see her shed anymore tears over finely crafted metallic silver spray painted gold? I patted her head as I did to Jimmy.
Edd: It was no problem at all you two.
Eddy: C'mon sock head! We got a schedule to keep.
Edd: Coming Eddy. I'll see you two again soon.
I departed from them hearing their goodbyes as I ran to catch up with my teammates. We walked to the hangar that was on the south-eastern side of the underground base. Once there we were met with a condition that Eddy must've over looked.
Eddy: Why the fuck is our jet at the fucking air port?!
Eddy was yelling at one of the workers who is in charge of scheduling and launching jets.
Worker: Because I was told that you three were to take a sub there. They said they more time to "Ed" proof it so nothing that you three idiots will do won't make that expensive jet go down in flames.
The worker seemed like he had more on his plate and didn't want anything more added to it. Well he subliminally asked at the wrong time. A gargantuan explosion went off in one of the jets. We all took cover from the flying debris. Angrily I was under Ed and his massive body with the added weight of the bullet proof vest he wears to work. He has a strong fear of getting shot by flying projectiles.
Edd: ED, could you please remove yourself from on top of me before my lungs collapse?!
Ed: Opp, sorry Double Dee.
As he removed himself, Eddy was already gone. I stood and looked down at my dusty, used to white, clothes.
Edd: Filthy, filthy, filthy!
I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to hurry and get on the plane and get to New York and buy new clothes.
Eddy: You fucking idiot! You could've killed us!
Voice: But you didn't! See Plank was right, I owe you a buck buddy!
Why didn't I realize it sooner? It was Johnny 2x4 or "Dynamino". Not only was he a pyrotechnic, he also has a job creating fireworks shows during major holidays. He's also underground war lord for selling illegal fireworks in three major countries. He's a wanted man by the government in thirty different states, in twenty-three different countries, in two continents. He's famous for being infamously wacky and highly elusive.
I walked over to them to see that Eddy was chasing him in circles. For a man in his early to mid twenties, Johnny could run fast even with all the explosives strapped to his body. Not to mention his childhood friend made entirely out of wood with a crayon drawn face. Plank and Johnny have been friends since his parents died and he started living with his grandmother who was diagnosed with dementia. By my theory, he created plank as a friend figure because of the loss of his parents and the detachment, emotional and physical wise, from his grandmother. Yet, he's grown into a young, carefree man with power and money.
Edd: Johnny, why did you blow up that jet?
Johnny stopped his running causing Eddy to run into his back. He fell on impact. He rubbed his head and I helped him back up to his feet.
Johnny: Because Plank said that it wouldn't blow up cause they "Johnny" proofed the jet.
Obviously they didn't. Now I wonder whether the jet they have prepare for us is, as they said, "Ed" proof.
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