Chapter Nine

Moose

Lions make you brave

Giants give you faith

Death is a charade

You don't have to feel safe

To feel unafraid

"Could you, I don't know, repeat that?" Camille's arms were crossed and she had an incredulous look on her face.

"I'm the king of the Grand Ball?" Moose grinned sheepishly.

"Oh Moose, why?" Camille sighed.

"It's kind of a long story." Moose said and Camille raised an eyebrow. Slowly but surely, he began to tell her the story of everything that had happened to him in the last few days. He watched her expression change from anger, to sadness, to disbelief, to shock, and finally landing on relief.

"He trusts you that much." She mused, "But are you sure you want this? I don't want you to constantly be in danger."

"I won't be, not with Gabriel around, even when I was locked in that cage, I never once doubted that everything would be alright. There's nothing for you to worry about." Moose told her as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Like that'll stop the sleepless nights." She joked and Moose hugged her tightly.

"Those nights will be sleepless, alright, because you'll be with me and we'll be dancing until sunrise." He told her and began to sway her from side to side. Soon they were waltzing up and down the hall, laughing as they did so.

It wasn't until, ten minutes later, when someone came out their room and shouted at them to shut up that Moose decided it was time to go. He squeezed Camille's hand one more time before letting it go. They kissed as he waited for the elevator and didn't break apart until the doors began to close. She waved goodbye to him before the doors blocked her from view. Moose ran a hand through his unruly hair as he walked to the common room. Gabriel sat on a couch reading a tabloid.

"Apparently Brad and Angelina are on the rocks," He said and Moose laughed.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later. She's such a homewrecker." Moose joked as Gabriel stood up and they walked into the early morning air.

"Plans today?" Gabriel asked.

"I was hoping you'd tell me." Moose grinned as they neared the Land Rover. However, before getting in, Gabriel stopped him. Moose opened his mouth to protest but Gabriel silenced him. That's when he heard it, a soft ticking. They quickly backed away from the truck as the ticking slowed and came to a stop. A second later, a loud explosion rang through the campus as the Land Rover went up in flames.

"Whoa..." Moose squeaked as Gabriel's phone rang. He spoke quickly with Eleanor who sounded frantic on the other line. When he hung up, Moose tried to read his expression but couldn't.

"Run and get Camille, I'm right behind you." Gabriel told him and Moose didn't hesitate. He ran like his life depended on it, and in a way it did. Camille was his life. As he pushed into the common room, he opted to take the stairs and reached her room in half the time. He pounded on the door and she opened it. Seeing the look of fear on his face, she opened his mouth to ask what was going on but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, so sorry." He said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. She didn't question him as he led her down the hall. Unfortunately, before they could get to the stairs, the elevator opened and Jared stepped out. Two men trailed behind him and they were all armed.

"Going somewhere?" He asked and Moose gulped as he stood in front of Camille.

Jared raised his gun as fired. Moose and Camille managed to duck in time and they scrambled to avoid two more bullets. It wasn't enough, though, as a Moose let out a cry and clutched his shoulder. Jared smirked as he raised the bullet to Moose's head.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A silky smooth voice warned and Moose looked up to see Gabriel and Eleanor standing there. Eleanor held a gun to Jared's back while Gabriel kept the goons at bay with guns of his own.

Despite his pain, Moose didn't want a fight, "Let him go, you guys."

"Are you crazy? We could end this right here, right now." Eleanor snapped but Moose shook his head.

"I order you to let him go, Eleanor." Eleanor looked at him in shock before turning and looking at Gabriel, "You too, Gabe."

"Yes sir," Gabriel breathed before lowering his guns.

Eleanor followed suit and backed away from Jared. Moose sat up and leaned against the wall, still clutching his shoulder. Camille was at his side immediately, taking off her sweatshirt and pressing it against the wound to stop the bleeding. Before he could say anymore, Jared turned and began walking away.

"Wait!" Moose called after him and Jared turned to face him, "It doesn't have to be like this."

Jared didn't say anything as he stepped into the elevator. His men followed after him. Moose hissed in pain as Gabriel hurried over to him and lifted him off the floor. Despite his loud protests, Gabriel carried him out to Eleanor's car and carefully placed him in the backseat. Camille got in beside him and they drove to the hospital, no one speaking a word the entire way.

Once there, Moose was hurried away on a gurney and Camille had to turn away so that he wouldn't see her tears.

"He'll be alright...I promise." Gabriel told her and she looked at him. There was no worry on his face, but instead another emotion. Anger. Was he angry with Jared for hurting Moose, or was he angry with himself for not getting there in time?

She didn't get a chance to ask him before he and Eleanor engaged in a silent conversation and he nodded. He bid her farewell as he and Eleanor walked toward the exit. She wondered what they were going to do, and figured that it couldn't be good.

"Miss?" Camille turned to see a doctor standing in front of her, "Your friend, he's just come out of surgery. We were able to remove the bullet and I'm glad to say that he's going to make a full recovery."

"Oh thank God, can I see him?" The doctor nodded and led her to a room. Inside, Moose was laying on the bed smiling at her as she entered.

"Hey there, Chameleon, sorry I scared you." Camille just shook her head as tears pricked her eyes. Moose held his arms out and she walked over to him, letting him hold her.

"Please don't ever let this happen again, please." She pleaded and Moose nodded, kissing her forehead. He hated seeing her like this, and he wondered if he had made the right decision.

"Where's Gabe?" He asked and Camille shrugged.

"He and Eleanor disappeared a while ago, I think they went after those guys." Moose stiffened when he heard this. Gabriel wasn't going to do what Moose thought he was, was he?

"Camille? I need you to do me a favor..." Camille looked at him in confusion.

"What's up?"

"I need you to help me sneak out of here."

This can only end badly. But what can I say? It's Moose. Anyways, this story is winding down, but don't worry, I'm thinking of writing a sequel. But only if I get a good enough response to this story. So, it's up to you guys. Reviews are greatly appreciated and thank you to all those who are constantly reviewing. You guys rock. Speculations are also welcome. I love reading how you guys think this story is going to end.

~As the Rush Comes~

Disclaimer: I don't own Step Up or Lions! By Lights