Disclaimer: I do not only any part of this story, except for the plot. All the characters [except Autumn] and settings go to Ally Carter and Disney Hyperion Books

Thanks for all the reviews! Dedication goes to all of you, especially Gallaghergirl396 for being my BetaReader.

Chapter 2 isn't very long as well, because its basically what you need to know about the attack.

Note: I'm such an idiot, I was writing Chapter 2 and forgot to save lol. So I rewrote it, enjoy!

The limo drove through the long driveway and pulled to a stop in front of the huge mansion I once called home. I suppose I'll be once again be calling it home. Liz and I got out and were greeted by a rush of familiar faces.

Bex ran over to us and hugged us. "Long time no see huh?" she said, raising her eyebrow.

Before me or Liz could reply my mom said, "Hey girls, welcome back." She attempted to smile but it came out strained. There were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't been sleeping well... which I guess made sense.

"Yeah, thanks for coming back." spoke up a voice that belonged to the body hiding in a shadow. Me and Liz gasped as the figure slowly came out. "Macey, what happened to you?" Liz asked in shock.

She had a bandage of her cheek and she was on crutches. But the most shocking thing was that her hair was... blond and her skin... was so pale. Honestly, she looked a little like Liz. Macey smiled a little and said, "Those bastards wanted to fight."

"Her appearance had to change since the attackers saw her. We'll probably need a full surgery, but this will have to suffice for now." Mom explained.

Liz cleared her throat. "Um, Ms. Morgan? Can you explain exactly what happened?"

My mom's forehead immediately got wrinkled and she sighed. "Honestly, I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I'll explain as best as I could when the rest of people I called arrive."

"Who are the rest of the people?" I asked.

"A young spy named Autumn Reeves and---"

"and me. Hey Gallagher Girl. I haven't seen you for a while, have I?." said a very familiar voice from behind. Even though I didn't turn around, I could practically see the smirk on the face that I haven't seen in years... Zachary Goode was here.

6 minutes and 27 seconds later, all of us were gathered around, including Autumn. She was the only unfamiliar face, but she definitely was a surprise. She didn't seem like a spy at all. Although her appearance was very Bex and Macey-like , her mannerism was very formal and proper, like a debutant. I couldn't see her roundhouse kicking a thug twice the size of her.

"Okay, so as you all know, despite the top-notch security, Gallagher Academy had been attacked by foreign enemies. Despite our efforts, they all managed to get away, with the blood of 4 teachers on their hands." mom began. "Those 4 teachers will need replacements which is why I invited you five. We believe your skills are suitable for teaching the kids."

Before, my mom can continue on, Bex asked the question that was on all our minds. "Who died?"

"Well..." my mom shifted uncomfortably and looked down, "Kate Hanock, Madeline Dabney, Harvey Mosckowitz, and urm... Joe Solomon."

Poor Mr. Mosck--- wait. "Did you just say Mr. Solomon died?" I asked incredulously. My seemingly invincible Cove Ops teacher died? Impossible.

"Yes, Cammie, I did. And Zachary?"

"Yes Ms. Morgan?"

"You're taking over his spot. Liz, you're taking over Data Encryption. Autumn will be teaching Culture & Assimilation." Well that made sense, she certainly looked like she knew in which order you're suppose to arrange eating utensils and how to dance the waltz.

My mom continued, "Bex, you're doing Kate's job as the P&E teacher." Bex grinned and I instantly felt bad for any girl that volunteered to do demonstrations with Bex.

I guess we knew who was taking over the empty teaching positions... wait---

"What about me, mom?"

She looked me in the eye and said, "You're helping me track down the invaders."

Later, in the safety of our new bedroom, Macey gave us what she knew, since my mom didn't tell us much. The only we learned from mom was that the attackers seemed to be after the alumni disk... and the teachers, rather than the students. She didn't give us the actual lowdown of what happened during the invasion, which left Bex very disappointed.

"It was insane." she began. "One second I was teaching COW, and the next, two masked figures came out from the vents. The students were all screaming and I ordered them to leave. The masked people didn't bother blocking the door until I attempted to escape with them." Well this supported the theory that they weren't after the students.

"I was alone, against the attackers, which I already deduced as a man and a woman. All I could do was fight. It was a storm of bodies and suddenly a knife and a gun were drawn out. I had no weapons, so I really was doomed. The man took aim and he shot my leg. I fell down to the ground and my face felt a sharp cut. I thought my death was inevitable when Dr. Fibbs and Harvey burst through the door."

"And then?" Bex couldn't help but be eager for more. I knew Bex was eager for the action, not for the deaths. Bex will always be like that.

"Then it got all black." Macey admitted. Her eyes got sad for a minute and she said, "Guys, I feel so bad that I couldn't help them... especially Harvey. I never--" her voice wavered and she looked down. "-I never been so scared in my life."

I immediately went up to hug her, knowing that her eyes were probably watering. A moment later Liz and Bex joined us. We just sat there, on Macey's bed, hugging, silent tears running through all our faces. It was partially because we were finally all together, it was partially to mourn the death of the teachers that taught us everything, and it was partially because it felt like protection, like a shield.

No matter how much we we didn't say, not matter how much we denied it, the fact was there.

The attackers were good. There was no question. The question was, are we better?

Sorry for killing off Mr. Solomon! And for the lack of Zach. There will be Zammie in the next chapter. There also will be more Autumn.

(And Macey calling Mr. Mosckowitz, Harvey is because she had been teacher in Gallagher Academy for 5 years.)

R&R please!

-Joyce