A/N: I published a schedule of everything that's going up in the coming days on Twitter and I'm doing my best to adhere to it. And so this is the first of the fresh updates. With the new schedule, I hope to be more on-time with updates so I don't have TOO many frustrated readers…I've also decided to run an ongoing Q&A for my readers. I get lots of questions (some of them a bit personal…) and lots of repeats, so from now on if anyone has questions I'll post answers on my bio so that I don't end up repeating myself to multiple curious readers. I love you guys, and I love chatting with you, but there's only so many times I can take being asked the same question over and over. I'll be posting the answers to questions I've been asked in the past before, too, so if you want to know something about me, check my bio. If the answer isn't there, feel free to ask. Every question (no matter how personal) can and will receive an answer. Anyway, please review this here piece of writing when you finish. Thanks!
Well, Will tried his best but the group heading OTG was finalized and Sal Lancaster was unfortunately not on it. And since Will would be leading the expedition, I appeared to be on my own to devise a solution to the latest developments. He was none too pleased about the situation either, but it's probably for the best. If Will were to kill Lancaster out there, he would likely get the boot. And then who would I take down every time in sparring practice?
True to Dr. Shannon's prediction, Maddy was kept for observation another night and then cleared for release, along with a few other disoriented scientists. As long as they were no longer contagious, they were free to go in order to clear up space in the over-crowded clinic. There's been talk of expanding the hospital soon, but until then the virus victims would be kept at home and under close watch to prevent any potential tragedies.
Naturally, I wasn't assigned to watch over Maddy, though I campaigned hard for the privilege. Commander Taylor wanted me on the perimeter patrols and I wasn't about to defy a direct order from my CO. I didn't know who was assigned to take care of Maddy but I knew who I was hoping wouldn't get the job.
And naturally, he got the job. The one person who I was praying to God wouldn't get assigned to take care of Maddy was the one who did. It couldn't have been Jenkins or Dunham or Curran or Reilly. It had to be him.
I could clearly see the markets from my post on the perimeter and I could clearly see Sal Lancaster walking around with Maddy, his arm thrown over her shoulder like they were in love. Or even a relationship. My blood was boiling and I subconsciously balled my hands into fists, not even aware of what I was doing until I realized my nails were digging harshly into my palms.
"You alright?" Dunham asked, watching my expression shift from alert to angry to furious.
"Fine," I gritted, eyes still planted on that sleazebag who was putting the moves on my girlfriend.
"You look like you want to strangle someone," he told me.
I do, I thought. "Just…on edge…"
"Hey isn't that Lancaster over there talking to your girl?" Dunham asked, likely meaning well and not thinking of what he was saying. It took a lot of restraint not to punch him just for how nonchalantly he said it.
"It would appear so," I ground out, teeth still clenched.
"Do you want me to cover your…shift…?"
I was gone before the question even finished. "Thanks," I called over my shoulder. "I'll be back."
"Maddy!" I greeted, forcing a smile as I hurried over. Her face lit up as I approached.
"Mark!"
"Hey…" I looked to Lancaster, who seemed a bit stunned to see me. The two purple bruises on his face were just starting to fade. "Lancaster," I nodded at him but made certain my eyes were shooting daggers when he looked at me. "What's going on with…?" I pointed between the two of them.
Maddy's eyes widened and she tinged read. "Oh us?" she laughed nervously and I watched Lancaster's smile go from mildly amused to positively feral. "Nothing…he's just supposed to…keep an eye on me. We're just getting groceries."
"Actually," Lancaster piped and I winced at his tone. It was far too soft and gentle for complete scum like him. "I wanted to talk to you about something…"
Maddy looked at him cautiously and expectantly.
"I wanted…" he started. "To declare…"
"Uh, Lancaster," I interrupted, thinking fast. "Commander's looking for you. He sent me to get you."
He looked at me with unmasked annoyance and narrowed his eyes. "What's he want me for?"
"Just…about the construction detail. He wants you supervising the next group…"
"Just a minute," he held up a finger to shush me and turned back to Maddy, who was still waiting for him to finish his thoughts.
"Maddy, I'd like to declare my…"
"Sal, I think you should come quick because Taylor's…well he's pretty damn mad. Unless you want to be digging trenches for a month, I recommend getting your ass in gear now!"
Lancaster let out a peeved huff. "I'm sorry, Maddy," he spoke. "I'll…I'll tell you later." He turned and jabbed a finger at me. "This better be important, Reynolds. I was in the middle of something." He was off without another word.
"Wonder what he was going to say," Maddy mused, looking after him. I joined her at her side and, feeling perhaps a bit too eager to show some amount of affection for her, I scooped her hand up in my own. Her breath hitched and she blushed again.
"Beats me," I shrugged, though I'm pretty sure I knew how he was planning to finish the sentence he started. It was the exact sentence I had used to ask her out fifteen months ago. I briefly wondered how he would react when he found out Taylor was actually OTG for the day, checking out the falls for any more of Lucas' scrawling.
"He was going to declare something…" Maddy frowned but made no effort to remove her hand from mine, a fact I noted with some pride. She may have a crush on Lancaster, but hopefully this was a signal that she was a bit interested in me too…
"Probably some sort of assignment or something," I deflected. "He may have been trying to tell you he wouldn't be around for a while…"
"Oh." Her face fell and I winced again, remembering she had feelings for this guy. She didn't know he was a dirtbag and, try as I might, I didn't have the heart to crush her like that. Not yet.
"But…maybe not. I'm not sure. You know how those big-time, world-saving hero soldiers are."
Maddy giggled, a sound I hadn't heard in a while. I had been missing it and I really wished I could hear it again. "Well aren't you one of those 'big-time, world-saving hero soldiers?'" she asked.
"Me? No way. I'm just a lowly security guard," I replied, sticking to the story that had been concocted.
She laughed again. "Don't put yourself down," she said. "Everyone matters. Everyone has some contribution to make. Even if others can't appreciate it…" this last part was spoken more quietly and I almost had to strain to hear it. She looked down.
Before I could stop myself, I was tilting her chin up to look her in the eyes. She tensed a bit at the contact near her face but seemed to relax minutely when she realized I didn't mean her any harm.
"Maddy," I kept my voice low and even, "you're right. Everyone has an important contribution to make and none more than you."
She shook her head and pulled away. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I didn't mean to make you think I…it's just that…well I'm a…" she stammered through the sentences, trying to pick the right words. "I'm a nerd…"
"Don't say that," I begged. "You're smart. That doesn't make you a nerd. You said you wanted people to remember who you are after you're gone and they will. You're a genius and you've got your heart in the right place. And you're also kind and honest and…beautiful…" I wasn't sure how she would react to the last adjective.
She looked startled. "You…you think I'm…beautiful?" She was shocked.
"Yes," I couldn't even contain the smile anymore. "The most beautiful…"
Her slim arms were encircling me before I knew what was happening. "Mark, you're the best friend anyone could ever want."
I hugged her back but I couldn't help feeling disappointed. Best friend? It was a start, at least, but certainly not where I wanted to be. I'd take it though. It was a step in the right direction.
"I should…finish the shopping…" she said, pulling back. She was blushing again.
"Can you find your way back?" I asked, remembering that I had left Dunham up on the wall to cover his position and mine.
She nodded. "Yeah. It's not so hard anymore now that Sal walked me around a bit."
I tensed at the name but relaxed quickly for her benefit. "Good. I have to go back to patrol so…I'll see you around?"
"Yeah," she smiled genuinely. "I'd like that."
"Have a good day, Maddy." I saluted her and she waved goodbye.
"You know, Taylor's OTG. How could he have been looking for me?" Lancaster's voice was low and angry. We were standing around the post exchange again.
"Isn't today just full of surprises?" I replied evenly.
"I already told you, Reynolds. Maddy Shannon isn't yours anymore. And I'm going to prove it. She'll be another addition to my illustrious collection of former lovers." His smile was far too icy for my liking.
I swallowed my fury. "You're just going to use her and dump her?"
"Like trash into the incinerator," he confirmed.
"She's not trash, Lancaster. She's a person."
He shrugged. "Use 'em and lose 'em, that's what I say. And in any event, who could stick with her for long? She's got such a mouth. She just doesn't ever shut up…"
"That's her personality and it's one of Maddy's greatest traits," I growled, hostility obvious. Reilly looked up and scoffed and I guessed she'd had enough of the bickering. "If you can't appreciate it," I continued peevishly, "then back off now and leave her to someone who can."
Lancaster shook his head. "She's pretty damn hot and she's got no experience, Reynolds. I'm not going to pass up on an easy one." He leveled a glare at me and then smirked wolfishly. "And don't worry—I'll let you know how she is once I get her in bed. I'm sure she'll be moan—"
He never got to finish. I was on him before he could react, not bothering to hold back as I landed blow after blow on any unblocked part of his face. He always was slow in combat training. Not even Reilly and Dunham combined could pull me off of Lancaster. It took the two of them plus Curran to finally break it up and when I finally got pulled back enough to inspect my handiwork, I was proud to note that he had two black eyes and three of his teeth were lying on the ground.
I was going to get hell for this one once Commander Taylor found out, but it was more than worth it…
A/N: Thought I'd let Mark get a few more hits in for good measure, since everyone loves hating Sal Lancaster. He really is a slimy one, isn't he? So please review and let me know what you think. Is there any chance that a relationship between Mark and Maddy can be salvaged? Hopefully, but you'll have to stay tuned (and review!) to find out. Reviews may persuade me to move chapter six further up my priority list…just saying.
