Enraged at Cortes returning to puerto angel as a cross-species freak show and nobody seeming to care had pissed ff a certain person. Portuchi had ALWAYS resented Cortes, but that had pushed him over the edge and down the cliff. Out on a flight, he ran into an injured di-wan, and the two discovered they had a common goal. They both HATED Aran Cortes.
So together they'd plotted to be rid of him and puerto angel once and for all. Portuchi had drugged and kidnapped the captain to keep him out of the way so Di-wan could launch an attack. Stuck in the room with his nemesis, Portuchi had decided t teach him a lesson he wouldn't soon forget, and attempted to assault him. Unfortunately for him the sheer panic pushed his captive to his limit, and he lost his temper, knocking portuchi out and making a bee-line for Di-wan. In the ensuing fight he was heavily injured, but just about beat di-wan senseless.
He would have surely killed portuchi had sirus not intervened. By his side when he woke up was sirus and Mila, along with the kids. Mila had promised nobody need ever know about what happened if it bothered him that much, and he'd been grateful they'd kept to their word.
But sadly, Portuchi had no such idea. He'd been keeping quiet about it until now, when he happened to overhear Cortes was supposed to be coming to the cell block to go over some paperwork...
Cortes yawned as he climbed the steps to the lighthouse. He'd been up late the previous night, no need to guess why. He heard voices as he nudged the door open.
"Hey!" Mahad greeted him with a nonchalant wave.
The Vector looked up "i found those files you were looking for Cortes, they're on the desk there..."
"Thanks Vector" Cortes answered, wandering over to the old wooden desk and opening the first of the pile.
Meanwhile, the Vector and Mahad discussed what needed doing that particular day.
The Vector came across an appointment notice. Cortes was supposed to go down to the cell block later that day.
Mahad looked over at it, then at the vectors worried expression. "what's up?"
The Vector sighed, then spoke very softly "this, i don't think Cortes should d it, I'll find someone else.."
Mahad blinked, then copped on "oh right.." he whispered back "because of you-know-who right?"
"Exactly.." Vector responded "it could cause a lot of unnecessary stress..."
"You two gossiping behind my BACK is what's giving me STRESS!" a vice snapped behind them. they slowly swivelled round in their seats, to see Cortes standing behind them, arms folded, looking almightily pissed off.
"Ehe...you heard..?" Mahad squeaked, Cortes glared.
"Since the virus, my hearings gone beyond normal humans, i could hear every damn word!"
The Vector stood up and looked at Cortes "i repeat what i said; it'll just cause you stress.."
Cortes shook his head cutting him off with a wave of his hand "frankly Vector, i don't give a crap what everyone thinks is best for me. I'm not some little kid you have to baby-sit!! SO BUTT OUT!" he turned and stormed off, slamming the door behind him. Vector sighed "h boy, i keep forgetting how volatile his temper's been since the virus..he's easily enraged..."
"He's scary when he gets like that.." Mahad added.
Cortes stormed down the slope back towards the town centre. He'd seen the appointment time, it wasn't for another hour. But if he waited, vector would send someone else, so he decided to go now. Get this done with. he hated the idea of being mollycoddled by people because of one incident..
The door banged off the wall as he walked in, startling the two at the desk. Once they seen who it was, although surprised he was so early, agreed to go get the paperwork so he could sort if out.
Cortes sighed and leaned against the desk as he waited. Then he heard approaching footsteps, the sound of someone arguing with someone else. he looked up, and felt his stomach lurch at what he seen. His attacker from so long ago, being frog-marched back from the bathroom by two armed guards.
"Geez...how many times do ya gotta go?" one complained.
"hey, i have a small bladder, and being stuck in that pigeon hole doesn't help--well well..." Portuchi trailed off as he seen the figure standing by front desk.
Cortes stood up, and took a step backwards, reaching automatically for the penknife he kept in his pocket, he grasped it in the palm of his hand, keeping it hidden from view.
"Oh, what're you here for captain?" one of the guards asked.
"..just something.." Cortes managed weakly. The guard stared at him, he looked awfully pale. "Yu alright sir, you don't look so well--HEY!"
Portuchi took advantage of the fact the guards were distracted by Cortes to push them both away from him, knocking them flat. He launched for Cortes, and slammed him back against the desk. Spying the pen knife he twisted it from the captains grasp, and tried to sliced at him with it.
Cortes managed to move his arm to block the knife from striking his face. The blade scored a line down along his arm, blood splattering the desk.
He nearly blacked out with the effort, as his attackers other hand was wrapped around his throat, trying to strangle him.
Just when he thought he was going to pass out, the force around his neck was lifted, as the guards recovered and hauled Portuchi off him. The Captain slid to the floor, coughing and struggling to breathe again. His sleeve was soaked in blood, and it dripped to the floor as he sat there.
"Heh, not so strong are we now?!" his attacker laughed as he was pulled away from Cortes "i would say 'screw you.." he face twisted into an evil grin "but i already got to that!"
One of the guards hauled Portuchi back towards his cell, while the other knelt by the injured Captain, who was shaking from shock.
"Sir, let me see that..." but he didn't get the chance. Cortes felt like he was going to be sick, and got to his feet, bolting for the bathroom..
Di-wan yawned boredly and stared up at the ceiling. She was stuck in a windowless room, and was bored out of her mind. How much longer was she gonna rot in here? Her attention was caught by the sound of a struggle, some yelled words, then running footsteps, then the sound of a bathroom door slamming not far down the corridor.
--Portuchi insulting people again?-- she thought sarcastically. She waited to see who it was that had made the amazingly fast lavatory-dash.
She raised an eyebrow in surprise when the person staggered past, stopping to rest against the wall a few feet from her cell. Dishevelled ginger hair, large wings...well if it wasn't captain Cortes. He looked like hell. He was as white as a sheet, and was clutching a towel to his left arm. As she watched a crimson stain appeared on the towel and started to spread. The injured pirate took one step forward, but the blood loss chose that time to hit, and with a muffled thump, he collapsed.
Di-wan wrinkled her nose and grimaced, the smell of blood was disgusting.
"..i think there's a dead bird down here!" she called sarcastically. The figure stirred and uttered a muffled obscenity.
"Go to hell.." it hissed.
"I already have, I'm stuck in this shit-hole you bastard. Its fun seeing you so helpless, maybe ill get lucky and you just bleed out here and now!"
Cortes closed his eyes, he was feeling so dizzy, "in your dreams, bitch" he responded to the insult.
"Hey I'm not the one that got 'screwed' as portuchi put it.." she smirked, seeing the flash of pain on Cortes' face. "once that little rumour gets out you're finished! the famous Cortes is just a little slut!" she dug at him, using the worst words possible.
Cortes fury rose then, he somehow got to his feet, and punched the wall behind him. The wall cracked, and a colossal dent appeared in it, spider-line cracks spreading. Di-wan clammed up fast. NO human could do that sort of damage.
"Need i remind you just who won the last time you tried anything funny!" he roared "now shut it or the next ones aimed right for your fat head!!"
"Captain..?" a timid voice uttered from behind him. He turned, glaring at the guard that was standing there, looking scared shitless. He'd come running down the hall in time to hear di-wan calling the captain something very harsh indeed, then just about had a heart attack when Cortes hit the wall.
"U-h...the Vector's here...we need to deal with your injuries-" he cut off as Cortes turned and stalked off back towards main entrance.
--the kid looks like he's gonna wet himself...guess that bird-brain isn't as weak as id guessed after that incident...-- Di-wan thought.
Cortes stormed up to where the main desk was. Vector, along with Mahad, looked up, seen the extent of his injury, and gaped.
"Whoa man, you're bleeding heavy, what happened..?" Mahad asked, vector looked at Cortes' neck, noting the strangulation marks.
"I gather this was HIS doing..." Mahad said, meaning Portuchi. He looked at the guards "how'd he managed to attack him, were you guys asleep or something?"
"No, we were escorting him back to his cell when he broke free, he used the Captain's pen knife to attack him.."
Vector pulled some medical supplies from his bag, and set abut patching poor Cortes up. The rebel pirate barely made a sound, he seemed distracted and upset.
Cortes noticed the nervous guard was watching him from behind the desk. --He must've heard what Di-wan was saying...plus those that heard Portuchi's outburst...it doesn't take a genius to work it out...-- he felt sick again. Soon as Vector tied the bandage, he took off out the door, before the old man could react.
Vector sighed and ran after him. Mahad stayed behind, he stood in front of the door, blocking the way "now i want to talk to you lot.." he said menacingly.
10 minutes later he left, with all the guards sacred into promising they'd never mention the incident, or he'd kick their asses personally. He'd know if it was them, he warned.
Cortes wandered the maze of Puerto Angel's streets, his head aching. At last he sat down on a bench in an alleyway. He rested his head in his hands, sighing softly.
He was alone for about 10 minutes, the he heard; "There you are...talk about a wild 'goose' chase..." he looked up, seeing the Vector standing beside him. The old researcher sat himself down beside the captain and looked at him.
"This is what i meant captain...you shouldn't have to deal with this any more. Were not trying to treat you like a kid, everyone here just wants to make sure you don't keep getting hurt. I understand you want to try shake off what happened, but there are better ways to do it. Forget that sick fool, and concentrate on what's important to you..."
Cortes blinked, and stared at the ground "maybe Di-wan was right.." he mumbled softly. Vector frowned "i heard that conversation on the surveillance monitors. She just wanted to rile you up, probably still peeved she lost to you." he looked sternly at Cortes "you start believing that awful woman, and that's it, she wins. There's no pint in letting her get to you."
"But.."
"No buts Cortes. It's over with, are you really going to believe what she says? You didn't deserve what happened to you, you know that, none of it was your fault. Portuchi and Di-wan are the ones to blame here. Do i need to get Sirus to repeat what i just said, because you know he adores you to no end, even after all the fuss, he refused to let g of you, doesn't that say something?"
"..yeah, i guess you're right..." Cortes answered at last. The Vector smiled "no doubt abut it, now lets go, no doubt Mahad will have told Sirus what's happened-"
"Wayyy ahead of ya!" Mahad's cheeky voice rang out. They both looked up, and Cortes barely had time to get to his feet then Sirus was by his side, pulling him into his arms and holding him tight.
"Aran.." the angel said softly "its alright, don't be sad..." Cortes nuzzled into the angels shoulder, the soft scent of the others hair calming him.
Sirus ran his finger though the rebel captains shoulder-length hair and kissed him gently.
"I'm not going to give you up..ever.." he whispered so only his human lover could hear. Cortes blushed, but smiled.
"I never want you to..." he murmured back, then felt a lot better as Sirus kissed him again.
"Bleh, get a room!" Mahad sniggered, and Vector whapped him upside the head "dont be immature." he scolded him, smiling at how much happier Cortes seemed now.
As they walked back towards Cortes' office, the captain realised something. Something important.
"Whats up love?" Sirus asked him, seeing the shift in expression. Cortes scratched at his bandaged arm and blinked "d'ya know what tomorrow is?"
Sirus blinked, confused.
"-its the day i met you" cortes finished with a smile, and he squeezed his lovers hand gently. Sirus blinked, then checked his internal memory.
Aran was right, it was nearly a year now since he'd met his beloved. He nuzzled his lovers cheek and smiled.
"The first of so many" he added with a cheeky smiled, and Cortes poked his nose fondly, then gave him a kiss.
An idea was already brewing in Cortes mind. A party, a birthday party of sorts. He spent ages on the radio, asking various peple various requests.
He had to be careful to keep his activities secret from Sirus. Thankfully his lover seemed blissfully unaware, as he popped into his office between breaks.
One of the people he drafted into his plans was Mahad. He and his sister set themselves in charge of planning the whole thing, with thier parents help.
Pretty soon they had the whole thing set up, ready to put into action the follwing day. That night, as he snuggled up to his lover, tucking his wings around them both, Cortes couldnt help but smile.
He ran down to the tavern early the next morning to help set it up. Mahad had been sent to make sure Sirus was distracted until the right time.
Cortes perched atop a ladder, sorting out some of the decorations and trying not to fall off.
At last it was finished, and with a pleased smile at the end result, Cortes sent a radio message to Mahad telling him to get a mve on.
"Were needed at the tavern!" Mahad poked the angel who blinked and loked up frm the booking form.
"Oh? well, lets get a move on then.." a little baffled as to why he was needed there, he follwed Mahad.
--I wonder where Aran is..-- he wondered, daydreaming as he and Mahad walked into the tavern.
He got the surprise of his life when he seen the place. And the reception when he walked in. He was a bit confused as to who-nevermind. Standing at the front, a big smile on his face, wings twitching happily, was Aran. His lover swanned over and kissed him.
"Aran, you planned this?" the angel asked, his human lover ndded and smiled.
"As a thank you..for everything you did for me...even when i was in the worst mood you never got mad...so thank you" he turned to the crowd "now lets get started!"
This proposal was greeted with a cheer, and a raucous party soon started.
Dahlia was leaning against the wall, trying to blend in, when Mahad popped up beside her.
"Hey, dont hide, c'mon!" he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the floor. She was about to refuse, but then she thought --hey, might as well give the kid a chance, he's not all bad..-- So she relaxed and let herself enjoy the dance with Mahad.
Lena watched her brother and smiled, then seen her mother and father dancing as well. They looked so happy, since her father had come back, Lena had seen her mother so much happier then she'd ever remembered.
She watched Cheng sitting beside Celia, the girl they'd rescued from Artemis and Jelola, and smiled. They made a sweet pair. Then of course, there was Puerto Angel's cutest couple. Cortes and Sirus. The two seemed so perfectly content with each other. When she and Mahad had first come there, Cortes smiling was rare as water. Now it was rare they ever seen him frown.
--He's changed so much thanks to Sirus, everyones so much happier now...i hope it stays this way!-- she thought happily.
Wheeeo, and once again, its teh end! Hope y'all enjoyed! Many Thanks to all who reviewed!
Random Fact: There's a monkey in my pocket and it's stealing all my change!