A/N An update in less than a month? O_O *feels very proud of herself* Okay! Surprised I could upchuck 3500 words so quickly XD On to the thanks!
Admiral Sanchez - Kinda off? Agh, well hopefully this chapter...is more on? XD I'm glad you are liking it otherwise!
1914000 - ;D You are predicting the future right now! I added in some JackxFaith fluff at the end :D w00tness
BUNNEYH - Hazzah, hell yes! XD They are, I think, meh fave video game couple :3
hero5674suprrok - D: Plot spoiler-er!! Naw XD But the relationship is gunna follow that scheme :) I have the love plot all figured out, there is actually a reason for them breaking up! Muahaha! :D
Maddy - Thank you ever so much for the sweetness x3 Makes me feel really happy! I'm glad you like it so far :D
Reflecting Reality Chapter Four
Hair blowing in the wind, Faith shot from one building to the next. Questions about last night's discussion with Alec played on her mind as she skidded to a stop near the edge of the Aquarian District. The days of her Running Career were picking up and she knew they were not going to slow to a decent anytime soon. She clicked her tongue impatiently and looked down to the busy streets below her.
The Aquarian District was full of life and at the same time sadness. Before totalitarianism befell upon the city, The Aquarian District always appeared friendly and welcome. Shops lined the edge of the streets, selling foods and home-made crafts with a bohemian feel for any who were interested. It was a place of rhythm and happiness; streets clapping of Birkenstocks and a vibe that whistled through the air. Now, the district darkened. The flow of the block subsided and the chatter subdued. Life still pulsed though the streets, but the soul had disappeared.
Towering against the skyline, Ganner Tech. empowered a sense of security to anybody in the right seat of government. To anyone like Faith however, it encumbered a sense of dejection and fear. A hand fell onto her shoulder in hopes of soothing her anxious thoughts but was soon removed despite her need for the comfort. Merc told her of the uneasy feelings he was feeling himself and stepped to the edge of the building right beside her.
"Been awhile since I was touring the streets," Merc remarked, looking apprehensive. "Don't leave me in the tracks."
Faith smiled at him, then looked around her other shoulder to see a rather disconcerted Jacknife. He faked a smile at her then followed Merc's line of sight to the large building in front of them, his face paled to a light shade of blue. "We could have done this without the help of this old geezer." Jacknife mumbled, obviously disappointed in the addition to their team.
Merc made a quick glare at Jacknife which read: 'I am here because yer not trusted to do the job, thank you very much. Now stop playing princess and work. ' and hopped down to a building's roof top below the other two. Jacknife gazed at Faith with a shrug of his shoulders and followed down after him.
"We'll have to get to the third floor. Not to hard with Celeste tracking us, but the birds are out and the heat is thick." Faith nodded, feeling the earpeice which was reinstalled with private tracking-devices, and skidded down beside him; with her back against the sun, she felt almost claustrophobic in the open spaces of the sky. Jacknife noticed her anxiety and coaxed her with a few basics,
"Ganner Tech. was passed onto White, remember?" He prodded, brushing a few strands of hair out of Faith's eyes. Taken aback, Faith fixed onto Jack's eyes and confirmed with a nod; pushing her own hair back as a way of saying not to touch it. He smiled at her and continued, "But now that White kicked the bucket, passionately fighting back I might add, who is it passed onto?"
Faith's quick mind thought of the answer at once, "Alec." Merc turned to glare at them both, looking annoyed from the set back and then added his own opinion:
"Alec made an obvious oops," he said as Faith threw him a quizzical look. "His first explanation was that his work, Ganner Tech., converted to Callaghan rule. Later, he had it in him to say the opposite." He motioned them to keep walking, as they were just milling around. "He was covering something up--You love-birds need to get a room." Merc announced noticing Jacknife teasing Faith. "What?!" Faith interjected as a thin sheet of red spread from her forehead to her chin. Jacknife smirked and grabbed her shoulders tentatively,
"Awe, maybe your little crush on me is more than I assumed."
"Back off!" she retorted, pushing him off her while sending crazy vibes to Merc. The leader chuckled back at her and marched forward near the side of a balcony connecting to a floor near the top end of the building.
"Let's do this."
Unlike most of the skyscrapers littered among the city, Ganner Tech. presented a different air to breathe for its customers. The walls presented a change from pristine white, to a warm beige, and the atmosphere brought cheery smiles and happy workers. That is, untill the fear welled up in their eyes when trouble came around--ie: the Runners. Ganner made a point of hiring the beautiful receptionists and the hard-working men. Very stereotypical, but that was what the company represented: stereotypical life for the techno-logic industry.
The way in was easy enough--only a hop-skip from balcony to an inconspicuous window-pane (removable, of course), and they were in. Celeste directed Faith and Jack to go down the east hallway until they found an elevator which would take them to their destination. Merc, however, was to go the back way to clear the area of unwanted-blues; hinting that he had more skill to take the job. When Faith and her accomplice were in the elevator, she had a few seconds to probe Jack for a couple more answers, "Alec works here then? On the third floor?" "No, we're heading for Marie's office first." He responded, looking around the small spaces of the elevator with a smug expression. Faith felt disheartened that she was not informed of the details and had to force them out of Jacknife. "Now, where were we?" He suddenly turned his body towards her and tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. Too staggered to jump away—the elevator did not permit the space anyway—she took in a quick intake of air and reddened. "Now that the geezer is gone, why not have some fun?"
Faith was saved when the elevator door chimed to the third floor. Jackknife was off of her quicker than she could think and a young lady, with light hair and a small build, was waiting on the other side of the elevator doors. As they shuffled out of the elevator and she walked in, Faith planned to turn around and get another look at the lady when Jacknife grabbed her arm in attempt to sway her away, "Let's go."
When they were far enough into the building, Jack pulled her aside and explained the rush, "If they look at us too long, their small brains will notice who we are." he informed her while tapping his own head. Faith glared down to his hand, which was still securely wrapped around her arm, and he removed it promptly. "Don't want to set off the alarm based on our looks."
The two of them found themselves in a small coffee room off the main hallway. Peeping outside the threshold, Jacknife swished back into the room as an employee walked by barely noticing the two Runners. Faith wondered to herself why they were using the busy hallways for their route as she followed Jack's lead out of the inlet.
"Can't we—"
"No," he interrupted, sliding into an empty office space. "Every back-way is high-time monitored--as if they are watching only places we would go." Faith followed him closely, afraid to create too much attention. "Cel wants Merc to take the back-ways because of his experience. Load of bull, if you ask me."
Jacknife stalled in front of a door and waited for Faith to get closer before he knocked. This area of the offices seemed busier than usually and Faith felt a sense of claustrophobia again as the door opened abruptly. A very petite girl, looking to be no older than twenty, gazed at the two Runners excitedly and widened the door so they could come in.
"Jack!" She exclaimed, bustling to her seat behind one of two desks. The other two awkwardly walked into the cramped room and dawdled in front of her desk. Faith glanced to the other desk which remained employee-less and then looked to her companion who looked rather full of himself. "'Bout time ya' got here!" She offered them both a seat but Jacknife declined,
"No time for small talk, Marie, we need access to Alec's office." Her face contorted sadly as he stated his business and she sighed.
"I'm sorry, but no can do." Marie replied, digging through one of her desk drawers and then bringing out a key. Jack groaned and rubbed his temples impatiently while she donned a smile cheerfully. "That is…unless you have finally decided to give me the right answer."
Jack shook his head and grabbed Faith's shoulder. Confused, Faith gawked at the both of them waiting for more information to fly out of their mouths. "This is the one," he stated, shaking Faith's shoulder jestingly. "There is really no chance in the world it will be you."
Marie pouted but still wore her smile, "Alas, I suppose you can't help a lost cause." She stood up from her chair and walked around the desk towards the Runners. All this time, Faith felt completely baffled and in turn, hated feeling left in the dark.
"What are you getting at?" Faith inquired, brushing off Jack's hand and walking forward to Marie.
"Oh, your Runner friend, here, and I are discussing grown-up things. You really wouldn't understand," Marie giggled, handing the key to Jacknife and making her way back to the desk. Faith widened her eyes with offense, she had to be the same age as this trite lady. Turning to the person of more interest, Marie said, "You better get going, Alec will be back in fifeteen minutes from Teris," she checked her watch and restated, "Make that ten."
Faith was about to deck her when Jacknife grabbed her arm once again and dragged her out of the office. As they were located on the third floor, Jacknife knew the way up wouldn't be easy--going as fast as they were, attention was sure to be directed towards them. He was feeling the heat of irritation swell up his insides as he forced out, "Merc should be there by now," Jack informed, picking up pace when he saw no one in sight. Faith confirmed his prediction with a nod and flailed behind him with trouble; having her arm chained to Jack made running difficult.
"At least let go," she commanded to her Runner friend, who stopped mid-step and shot a glare back at her. He swung her around the corner to an uninhabited cubical and smashed her into the flimsy wall. He gripped her upper arms with both of his hands, not loosing his hold as he spat out:
"Listen, don't try to pull another stunt like that around me," Jack heaved, anger stretching from forehead to chin. He dipped his head close to hers with exhaustion and breathed. Faith stood there, thinking about bouncing him off of her, but thought better of it. "Faithy…Faithy…we need to focus here. And you ready to smack Marie's face is not in the plan." Not taking his hands off of her, he swayed his head over the edge of the cubical to look at his surroundings.
Faith listen to him with keen insights as her ear-piece buzzed with excitement. Ignoring the frustrated yaps from Celeste, she slowly moved her arms out of his grasp and cupped his chin while a smile donned on her lips.
"Really, you should take Respiradol," she announced, pressing her fingers into his tattooed jaw line. Jacknife leaned away from her, took her hand in his and sighed. He closed his eyes and thought for a moment, listening to the small chatter around them; could people hear their conversation? He shook his head slightly and said,
"Leave it to a woman to deal with someone like me."
"Leave it to a man to get angry," she grinned while he smiled back at her. "No more hulk-knife, okay?"
Following Celeste's orders, Faith and Jacknife quickly--and safely--made their way up to the top floor. After probing information from her fellow Runner, Faith gathered a few key points towards the reason they were crashing Alec White's office. As the son of a Politician, Alec worked not too far away from politics himself. He was a high coordinator in totalitarian rule; in lay terms, a man with too much power for the the city's present condition. "He organizes all the big gigs," Jacknife informed her as they ducked out of employee-view. "You know the rebel-riots a few years back? He planned the blues' defense.
"Alec White's not just big in politics though; since his dad was a successful self-made-man, Alec could get whatever he damed well asked for. He ordered the craziest shit: grenades, pistols, anything with a kill-price, then turned them around with higher prices. 'White-stamp-of-approval' he called it. Bunch of lies, of course, but if he jousted it, people wanted it" Jack retold the story to her as they rode a lesser-used elevator to the seventh floor. "Now, Daddy White never caught onto any of this,"
"He was dealing under the table?" Faith interjected, trying to follow Alec's life-story-map.
"Yep, old White never knew his son was using the family name so cheaply. I'd say it was a way to get back at him, Alec never like his Pop anyway." The elevator dinged and they stepped out, scanning their surroundings. "We need to go to another elevator, this one would take us right to a deep patch of blues," Jack said, echoing Celeste's orders.
"Why didn't Cel go with us instead of Merc?"
"I already said, Merc has more experience." Faith looked at him whimsically as he replied. She wondered how long Merc had been a Runner and had the thought to ask, but was cut off as Jacknife swung her around a corner. "Dammit, Cel, are you even watching the cameras?!" Ahead of them, three well-armed blues came bustling down the hallway, mumbling to one another about a Runner on the twelve floor. Faith thought immediately of Merc and shot her sight to Jack.
"We have to get up there!" She nearly screamed, grabbing onto Jacknife's arm in attempt to get moving. She noticed his stubbornness and let go of him on her own accord; Merc was important, and listening to this guy yap was not in her plans. She swerved around the corner after the blues passed and shot down the hallway towards the east stairwell. A slew of cuss words could be heard behind her and she smiled from noticing Jack was following her. It was Faith's turn now, she would show everyone that she had what it took.
Runners are athletic, yes, but even sprinting up five flights of stairs can ware someone out. When she pushed open the red door on the twelve floor, her breathing deepened as Jacknife caught up to her, "Enough hero for one day, Faithy." He walked out in front of her and strode towards a larger receptionist area with confidence. "Before you try to out-run me again, at least know where you are going."
Faith cursed to herself as she followed Jack into the lobby. The faint sound of a fountain played softly against the warm walls of Ganner Tech. She glided to the edge of the lobby to see a large circular staircase twine up to the floor she was on now. Below her, people--millions of people--shuffled up the stairs and onto the floors below. Everything seemed so clam and happy. She almost considered switching her job to this location if it wasn't for the state of government. She smiled at herself for thinking such things. "Welcome to Ganner Tech.," Jacknife chimed, showcasing the building with the swing of his arms. "Home to the slaves which run modern-technology." He turned his back to the large staircase and rested his elbows on the railing. "So, are we going to gawk at our surroundings, or do what needs to be done?" Faith mocked him playfully, he smirked then led the way to Alec's office with a certain flare about him. She followed contently, looking back at the novel building with dignity.
Alec's office was not hard to miss, not only did several temps inform them of the office's location oblivious to their true motives, but the huge name of White plastered on a very, beautifully burnished door could give anything away. Faith was lucky to see Merc unharmed, sipping on a paper cup of coffee, enjoying his free time.
"Bout time you too got here," he scoffed, putting the coffee down on a nearby end-table. "Blues were parading this floor a second ago, good thing I can pull off being a worker here." (the dress ware at Ganner was very lax) He prompted Jacknife for the keys and Merc got to work quickly on the doorknob. Faith peered around her shoulder nervously and whispered, "Won't they...see us?"
"Bunch of dumb-fucks," Merc incited blatantly. "They can't tell the difference between a bunch of Runners and janitors. Just have to make sure yer quick, and it's smooth sailing." The door made a small click and they were in. Faith still felt helpless for information and this time, she wasn't going to let it slide. "Why are we here?"
"What? You don't know?" Merc asked, peering over to Jacknife. Jack shrugged his shoulders and Merc looked back over to Faith. "Alec's got major dibs on the city's political outcomes. A little smooth talking and he can get anyone elected." Merc crossed the room to the lone desk. Everything was organized, from pencils to papers; Alec was a very proud clean-freak.
"Then what are we going to get from his office?" Faith inquired.
"This." He held in his hands a small USB drive. "Everything we want is on here. Cel, got the drive, get us the hell out of here."
Before she even realized the vagueness throw upon her, Faith could feel the hot sun spitting onto her back. She looked around and noticed they were back in the Aquarian district from earlier that day.
The roof of the hideout was becoming very familiar to Faith. She scuttled over to the edge of the building and swallowed a big breath of city air; things were looking brighter. As she pondered about her Running career, a swift gust of wind teased her short, black hair. Jacknife's voice murmured from behind her, "Beautiful, isn't it?" Faith figured he was mentioning the skyline--dark blues enveloped the sky with a fading orange lining the horizon.
"Not like you to comment nicely about this city," Faith smirked, turning her head from the sky to look at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, then he changed his sight to the arriving star light.
"City or no city, beautiful." Faith rose an eye brow as she glanced to the sky and back to him; his eyesight was back on her. "You know, you really should think about getting better clothes," Jack stated without regret; he walked up close to her and played with the hem of her tank-top. Faith blushed with discomfort and wondered if he could see the color.
Jack sighed quizzically and moved his hands to her nape of her neck with ease. Feeling surprised, Faith leaped away from his warm hands and soon after, felt remorse for her sudden action. He smiled at her, but Faith could not make-out his expression; the darkness was making their features harder and harder to see. "Scared, Faithy?" He prompted, getting closer to her again while soothing her with words. "I'm not going to bite."
She felt his hands stroke her collarbone and tried to steady her breathing. This wasn't like her, she could handle anything. But for some reason, when around this guy, her defenses went right out the window. Although rough, his hands moved like putty on her skin, slowly, slowly, shifting up to her burning face. He commented on the heat blazing from her skin: "Damn, you sure are hot for me." Faith cringed after his statement and felt the happy feelings sizzle away. She blanched as she backed away from his touch, feeling disappointment in her interest in him. She turned away from him stubbornly and thought childishly about pushing him off the building. She would love to here the thick splat when he hit the bottom.
Jack looked confused but proceeded to loop his hands around her waist and buried his face next to her ear. "Don't take it personally," he breathed, taking in the fresh smell of her hair. Faith numbed, she was angry at him, yes, but the physical closeness between herself and Jacknife made things turn upside down. She felt warmth, contentedness, love. All things her unconscious had been screaming for, pleading for; finally she gave in. Choosing to become a Runner puts too much space between the Runner and her personal needs; Jacknife was here to shorten that gap. She let herself go.
A/N :D Happy fluff. I have to ask any potential readers this question: how far should their relationship go? Yes, they will end up together and all that love-ing-ness, but I need a good view of the age of the audience o__o I dont want to write an epic lemon for 10-year olds. Hahaha, I'm such a perv. But yes, I am curious to how explicit this should be? Keep it at the stuff I have now? (touching, kissing?) Or go more indeph? I don't want to waste my time with a lemon if no one wants one XD And thanks for reading!
As always, flames are always welcome ;D
