Chapter 25

The second morning after in as many days. The lower levels had been flooded ankle deep in water. David, Sofamke and Luca had camped on the upper levels, everyone else was sprawled once again on the metal staircase.

Jess and Jason had again fallen asleep together. This time, it was Jess the first to awaken. Although, she was of corse thrilled, she was somewhat cautious that after their discussion the previous morning. Peeling herself from his torso, she spurted her wings, and soared up to the upper levels. As she landed, she sent a gust of air rolling across the balcony, causing David and Luca to wake up. Both were distinctly unimpressed

"Jess," David groaned

"oh, sorry," Jess said, showing that it had all been unintentional.

"What's up?" Luca asked her, rubbing her eyes in typical early morning manor.

Jess hesitated, before explaining to them her predicament.

"i don't know what to do about Jason, what can i do if i can't be with him the way i want?" she asked, her voice becoming flustered

"Well, I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're going to have to be patient, or risk ruining it all!" David told her.

Jess gave a grunt in angst

"I know, this is so unfair. Why did that dosey old bint have to get there before me?" she snarled

"Consider yourself lucky he's still not with her," Luca advised, David coughed. "Treasure what you have, and wait. Take a leaf out of M and Samson. They can't wait to get eloped, they just don't want to ruin it all!"

"Oh yes, how are the happy couple?" David changed the subject. It seemed the girls were just as intrigued as he was. As the peered over the banister to watch, they witnessed more than just one couple. As expected, M and Samson, still wearing virtually nothing, were snuggled together, their feet dangling in the water. Olva and Jet were also together, and they had fallen asleep in each others arms, causing the three spectators to aw. There was a surprise coupling, also. Daine and Fi were asleep, their arms wrapped around each other. Daine, like Samson and Jason, had been stripped down to his boxers, and Fi to her bikini like undergarment.

"Bloody hell!" gasped Luca

"Well, she was feeling lonely, I'm not surprised she hooked up!" David explained

"Lonely?" Luca asked

"Yeh, she missed her boyfriend. Apparently he was the one who helped her escape."

"She had a boyfriend?" Jess was amazed. "She kept that a secret from me. He wasn't with her when she was on the run when we met in Nottingham!"

"I'm guessing he would be with us now if he had been with her when you ran for the forest," David suggested

"Well he wont be too happy with Daine," chuckled Luca

"I'm sure he'll find a way to escape!" laughed David, sparking off giggles from the girls.

"You know, seeing all the lads down to their shorts, is certainly making me fancy a spot of casual sex." muttered Luca, her eyes fixed on Olva, but more particularly, Jet.

"Are you jealous of your co-captain?" Jess teased

"Shut it," Luca shot back quickly, "Before you get any ideas, I'm not desperate. I've just never had what she appears to have with O," she sighed, "True love!"

"Oh Babe!" Jess cooed, wrapping an arm round her shoulders and comforting her, David moving round to do the same on her other shoulder. Luca only just managed to stop herself welling up.

"Something is bound to come your way, I promise!" David assured her. Their moment was rashly interrupted by a siren sounding in the main control computer.

"What?" David's voice was surprised at the sound, but as he realised what it was, his voice turned more serious; "What?!? Luca,"

on his order, Luca teleported the two of them down to the controls. The siren had woken up the rest of the team, as David typed instructions into the mainframe, pulling up several screens. "No!" he cried, "It can't be, no!"

"What is it?" Ella called

"The base is uploading security protocol 8!" David said, panicking slightly, "That only happens if the base detects a direct threat approaching. We're under attack!"