Chapter Four

Gabriel

Fumbling his

confidence
And wondering why the world has

passed him by
Hoping that he's bent for more than

arguments,
And failed attempts to fly

"What do you mean he got away?" Gabriel yelled into his phone. Behind him, Eleanor sat on their living room couch. She had been trying to watch TV but found that she couldn't focus, not when her brother was furiously livid.

"We chased him to Queens and then he just disappeared. We're looking for him, though." Someone said on the other line.

"You better be looking, and when you find him, I want his head on a platter. Or I'll kill him and you myself." He slammed the phone shut and threw on the floor.

"Sounds like someone needs a good back rub." Eleanor smirked and Gabriel shot a glare at her.

"As sweet as that offer sounds," Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he grabbed his keys and a jacket, "I've got to go."

And with that, he was out the door. He frowned all the way to his car and during the entire drive to the warehouse. After last night's fiasco, he had decided to dismiss the dancer who threatened Moose. The last thing he needed was discord and Jared, the dancer, was known for causing a little bit of chaos. He had gotten away though, and Gabriel was less than happy about it.

Inside the ballroom, Gabriel reveled in its silence. He liked when there wasn't anyone there to bother him. It made him remember why he had created the Grand Ball in the first place, as a safe haven.

"This place was always like a second home to me." Gabriel turned to see Jared leaning against the bar. Immediately, Gabriel reached into his jacket pocket and gripped the cool metal of his pistol. He didn't take it out though, not yet.

"It's a shame, then. You're never going to set foot in this place again." Gabriel said, taking out the pistol and raising it. Instead of inciting fear in Jared, though, the dancer took one look at the gun and began to laugh.

"You think you're so big and bad, don't you, your Highness? Yea, I know you run this place and I also know a lot of people who hate you just as much as I do, maybe even more. See, after last night, after you chose some punk new kid over one of your loyal subjects, I've decided that maybe our King doesn't have his Court's best interest at heart. So I took it upon myself to start a revolution." Jared stepped forward and was joined by two other guys who Gabriel recognized as people he had denied entrance to.

"You're an idiot, you don't even know what you're getting yourself into." Gabriel sneered.

"I don't? Then why did your men let me go? That's right, they let me walk away, because they're sick of you. You're a whiny little baby who's hiding behind his hired guns. But guess what? You can't hide anymore and I'm not going to stop until you and this Ball are burned into ash. But before I start with you, I'm going to take care of that kid you value so much." Jared reached forward and snatched the gun out of Gabriel's hand. Gabriel, in shock, took a step backward. Fear crept up his back as he saw the cold cruelty in Jared's eyes. He was going to die here, wasn't he?

Turning and praying for the first time in his life, Gabriel ran. He ran to his car, and escaped from the place he had once called a haven. A resistance, a rebellion, had been raised against him. It was only a matter of time...Moose. Moose was in danger now, Gabriel mentally cursed himself. He had to get to him. Gunning it, he sped to Manhattan, causing a traffic jam as he did so.

Knowing Moose didn't have classes until the afternoon, Gabriel pulled up outside The Vault and got out of the car. Looking around, he saw no sign of danger, but was still wary. He walked to the door and knocked on it. After what seemed like eternity, a pair of twins answered the door.

"Who might you be?" One asked, they both spoke in thick Hispanic accents.

"Gabriel, I'm here to see Moose. It's really important." Gabriel told them.

"Important eh? Moose is asleep, you sure it's important?" The twin asked.

"Yes, I'm sure." They let him in and after he stepped off the elevator, he hurried to Moose's room. His heart gave a jolt when he saw Moose's sleeping form. He was safe. Moose was safe. For now.

Knowing that he'd probably regret it, Gabriel leaned over and shook Moose awake. Moose shot up in bed and looked around frantically, before his eyes settled on Gabriel.

"What the hell, man?" He demanded but Gabriel had already started packing a backpack.

"I've got to get you out of here," Gabriel explained, "You're...you're in danger."

"What are you talking about?" Moose stood up.

"I can't explain right now, but this is all my fault. I'm so sorry for this Moose." Gabriel whispered.

Half an hour later, Gabriel opened the door to his apartment. At the sight of Moose, Eleanor stood to greet him but a glare from her brother silenced her. He led Moose to a bedroom before heading back to the living area.

"What's going on, Gabe?" Eleanor asked.

Gabriel offered no answer as he picked his phone up off the floor. He had no missed calls or new text messages. They had truly turned on him. Did that mean it wasn't safe to enter the Grand Ball anymore? Was it a risk he was willing to take? He looked at Eleanor who had a look of fear and pleading on her face. He had failed her. He had vowed to always protect her and be a good brother, and he had failed.

"Pack your stuff, you're going home." Eleanor didn't even protest as she watchec Gabriel collapse onto the couch and put his head in his hands.

Seconds that seemed like hours and hours that seemed like weeks passed, but Gabriel didn't move. It wasn't until he felt someone sit beside him that he looked up. Moose was sitting beside him, listening to his Ipod. When Gabriel looked at him, Moose smiled and stuck an earbud in his ears. They bobbed their heads together as Timbaland blared into their ears.

"I didn't to do this to you, you know. Things just got out of hand." Gabriel said finally, his voice slightly hoarse from not speaking for so long.

"You mind telling me what's going on? It would make me a lot less nervous." Moose said as he turned off the Ipod and turned to give his full attention to Gabriel.

"That guy from last night...he wants to kill you, Moose. Because of me." Gabriel was never one for beating around the bush, and upon seeing Moose's stricken face, he was glad he wasn't.

"Wha...why?" Moose asked, his body had begun to shake.

"I guess...I guess I have to start from the beginning." Gabriel stood up and sighed.

Slowly, but surely, he began to talk. He told Moose of how the Grand Ball came to be. His authoritative hold over it. How he killed to keep dissidents silent. He told Moose about those who stood in silence against him. Then he told him of the coming rebellion, the potential fall on the Grand Ball, and the potential price for his head.

They stayed in silence after that, not speaking. Words didn't seem to be enough. When the sun rose the next morning, Gabriel stood staring out of his bedroom window while Moose lay in bed, unable to sleep. He had called Camille and told her that he was going out of town for awhile. She hadn't been too happy about it, but said she understood. He hoped he got to see her again.

By noon, the pair was sitting on the couch again, listening to Moose's Ipod. Eleanor had come to kiss her brother goodbye before leaving for the airport in a taxi. She called Gabriel when she had landed in Georgia. He was glad that she was finally safe. It wasn't until later that night, that the silence began to prove to be unbearable.

"You're the king, aren't you?" Moose finally asked and Gabriel looked up from the tea he had brewed but found himself unable to drink.

"Congratulations, you get a prize." Gabriel deadpanned.

"You're make it pretty hard not to be pissed at you right now." Moose snapped and Gabriel let out a humorless chuckle.

"You're more than welcome to be angry at me. Look at what I've done? I've put you in danger, separated you from the ones you love. I heard you talking to Camille earlier, you wondering if you'll ever see her again. If I were you, I'd hate me," Gabriel shook his head, "I'd even kill me."

"Have you always been like this? This...cynical?" Moose asked.

Gabriel laughed again. If only Moose knew. If only he really knew.

There you go, it's starting to get gritty. I'm keeping up the suspense, because this is getting really good. Anyways, expect a few more updates from this weekend. I'm devoting all the time I have to this story. And thank you to all my reviewers, I love and appreciate you guys!

~As the Rush Comes~

Disclaimer: I do not own Step Up or Meant to Live by Switchfoot