Hey, guys. Back with an update. I kinda revised the last chpt a bit and changed things at the end. Just felt it didn't fit right with this story. I think I am beginning to get mixed up. lol Well, on with the chpt! Enjoy!
Three days have come and gone since the alleged attack and one of the biggest drug busts in the history of Zanarkand. Yuna and Tidus haven't even spoken or seen each other nor has she been to work, for she has kept herself locked up inside her home. The only one she will see is her cousin. Tidus just couldn't bare to face her right now because he blames himself for what happened to her. If he only he had gotten there sooner, maybe things would be different. Auron, on the other had, was about to do something he never intended to do no matter what, however, circumstances being what they are, he felt that it would be best for both Yuna and Tidus.
Nightfall. . .
There was a knock at the door. Although hesitant at first, Yuna answered it only to find Auron on the other side and she graciously let him enter her home.
"What can I do for you?" Yuna asked while she closed the door, bolting it shut. Auron watched, shaking his head at the sight his best agent was in. She looked at him, however, refused to approach him at all.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Yuna." Auron said with promise in his voice. Yuna only nodded her head, for she knew Auron would never do that, however, just could not bring herself to get close to him or any other man for that matter. "Other than to see how you are doing, I have news for you." Yuna listened carefully. "I'm taking you off the case. Effective immediately." Yuna only nodded her head and didn't even attempt to oppose Auron, which she normally would do. "You do not object to this?" Yuna only shook her head. "Very well."
Yuna nervously ran her fingers through her hair, twirling the ends around her finger. "Does. . ." She cleared her throat before continuing. "Does Tidus know yet?"
"No." Auron said. "And he's not going to like it one bit when he does." Yuna nodded her head, agreeing with him. "Are you returning at all, Yuna?"
Yuna gave that question some thought before answering. "Honestly, Auron, I can't say at this time."
"I understand." Auron said. "Have you and Tidus spoke since- -" He couldn't finish when he saw Yuna lower her head.
"I haven't even seen Tidus." Yuna said while turning her back to Auron. "I think he blames me for it happening."
"That's foolish thinking!" Auron said sternly. "No one is blaming you at all, Yuna! What happened is not your fault."
"Then why hasn't Tidus come to me?" Yuna then turned, looking at Auron with sorrowful eyes. Auron was at a loss for words. What Yuna asked him and the look in her eyes was more than enough to touch that stone cold heart of his.
Moments later. . .
Tidus sat at the counter in the pub drinking his misery away. The images of his partner and best friend being held down and forced upon still burned holes inside his mind. She was surely hurt that night and there was nothing that he could have done to stop it. He kept running the events through his mind, thinking what might have happened if he could have stopped it.
A strong shot of liquor was downed by the miserable blonde who ordered up another one and before he could down it, he heard foot steps approaching him. He hesitated to take that shot, however, downed it despite anything.
"Thought I might find you down here." Auron stated. Tidus merely shrugged his shoulders. "Are you drunk?"
"Working on it." Tidus said.
"You shouldn't be here, Tidus!" Auron suggested.
"Then where the hell should I be, out on the streets bringing down the bad guys?" Tidus asked, turning and facing Auron.
"You should be with Yuna." Auron blurted out. Tidus slowly turned and narrowed his eyes at Auron. "Don't look at me that way! That look will only lead you to trouble."
"By who? You?" Tidus asked with sarcasm in his voice.
"Exactly!" Auron said sternly.
"Like I really give a damn, Auron!" Tidus said while getting up from the counter. "My partner was raped before my very eyes! And there wasn't a damn thing I could do to stop it!"
"Don't make a scene!" Auron warned as a few people began to look their way.
"I DON'T CARE, AURON! LET THEM LOOK, LET THEM WATCH!" Tidus shouted angrily "It's not going to change what happened. I couldn't protect her. . . and it's killing me inside because I couldn't."
"Tell that to Yuna. Not me." Auron said. "Instead of coming down here drowning in self pity, you need to listen to your heart. Go to her, Tidus. You know as well as I do that its the right thing to do."
"The right thing to do?" Tidus asked. "What is the right thing to do? What happened to her wasn't right, but that didn't seem to stop it from happening."
"I went and talked to her today." Auron added in. Tidus eyes immediately went wide with concern. "She asked me where you were and why you hadn't been there for her. And you haven't, have you?" Tidus lowered his head. "No! You've been here drinking. You're just like Jecht used to be." Saying that brought anger into Tidus who drew his fist back to hit Auron who instantly grabbed his arm. "Don't even think it, Tidus." Tidus jerked his arm away from Auron. "I took her off the case as well."
"What!" Tidus asked angrily. "Auron, you can't! I need her!"
Auron raised an eyebrow at that remark. "She didn't oppose to it, Tidus. I'm not sure if she'll even return."
"You know what?" Tidus asked. "If Yuna isn't going to be there with me by my side, then I won't be returning either."
"She didn't say that for sure." Auron said. "But she's on leave until further notice. I've already assigned you a new partner. You'll meet him tomorrow."
Tidus rolled his eyes and then looked at the bartender. "He's picking up my tab tonight." Auron's eyes went wide and Tidus quickly left the pub.
Moments later. . .
Tidus sat outside Yuna's home watching her through her bedroom window from inside his car. Yuna walked over and sat on the edge of her bed, leaning her head down against her pillow while propping her feet up on the bed.
"I should be there lying next to you, Yuna." Tidus said, lost in his own thoughts. He then looked at his watch, which said 12:04 am. Getting out of his car, he approached the front door.
Yuna heard a knock at the front door and instantly shot up from the bed. Who could that be this late in the night? With a nervous sign, she got up and proceeded towards the front door. Upon easing it open, her eyes flew open in delight and anticipation at who she saw.
"Can I come in?" Tidus asked.
"Sure." Yuna said, stepping aside and allowing Tidus to enter. She closed the door back, looking at Tidus who turned and faced her. "Why did you come? I haven't seen you in days."
"Auron." Tidus said trying not to reveal his real reason for coming.
"Figured as much." Yuna said looking down at the floor.
"Actually, Yuna, I came because I wanted to." Tidus said and Yuna raised her head, meeting his eyes with her own.
Yuna instantly frowned while narrowing her eyes in anger. "Have you been drinking?"
"I had a few before coming- -" Tidus began.
"You're drunk!" Yuna said through clinched teeth. "Get out, Tidus!" She started to walk by him, however, he grabbed her arm and she instantly reacted to his touch, for she jerked her arm away while he turned and faced her.
"Yuna, I am not drunk!" Tidus said trying to convince her that he wasn't. "You have to believe me!"
"Why should I believe you?" Yuna asked coldly.
Tidus looked at Yuna, stunned by her words. "If that's the way you feel, then I have no reason to be here, do I?"
Yuna looked away, biting her bottom lip as tears began to sting her eyes. "That's right! Walk on out that door! You don't care anyway!" Tidus stopped dead in his tracks when he heard that and slowly turned towards Yuna who had her back turned to him.
"I what!" Tidus asked trying to control his anger.
"You didn't come to the hospital to see how I was, you didn't call, you didn't even come to check on me or to see me, Tidus!" Yuna said, her voice breaking.
"I didn't because- -" Tidus trailed off
"Why, Tidus!" Yuna shouted while turning and facing him, tears falling from her eyes. "Why didn't you come to me! It was you that I needed! NOT AURON! NOT CID! THE ONE PERSON I WANTED AND NEEDED MOST WAS NOT THERE!" She sniffled, wiping her face clean of any tears. "WHY NOW, TIDUS? HUH! WHY NOW AFTER DAYS OF NOT EVEN ATTEMPTING TO EVEN- -"
Out of pure anger, Tidus walked towards her, his eyes narrowed in anger and his teeth clinched tightly together. "I CAME TO YOU NOW BECAUSE I LO-----." He tightened his lips together before finishing when he realized what he was about to say. Yuna was shocked by his outburst towards her and was even more hurt then before. "Yuna. . ." Yuna just shook her head, placing her hand over her mouth as she turned away. "I didn't come because I couldn't face you. I should have done something- - ANYTHING- - to stop it from happening, but I was powerless to do so." Yuna didn't utter a word. All she did was cry softly. Therefore, Tidus slowly approached her and upon hearing her cries, he snaked his arms around her, pulling her back against him. "It's okay. I'm here now." At last, she was in his arms. This was all Yuna wanted, for him to just hold her close to him and tell her that everything was going to be ok.
The station was quiet on this night. Maybe a little too quiet. Everyone had gone home except for those guarding the inmates. The lackey was located in a cell just across from Reggie who was talking to him right now.
"You know the boss is going to do you in when he finds out that it was you that raped the women he secretly admires and not that other doofus he shot right?" Reggie asked.
A piece of rather thin yet very strong piece of steel wire is slowly lowered from the top of the ceiling.
"The boss is pissed enough as it is, you know." the lackey said. "He may have escaped the dynamic duo this time, but they managed to get his goods. He'll be coming for them personally now."
Unnoticed by either of them, the wire was slipped in and around his neck, however, did not touch him in any way. . . just yet.
"That's after he gets you for doing his girl." Reggie continued to tease.
"Hmph!" the lackey said. "I didn't see his name anywhere on that body of hers."
Suddenly, the wire is wrapped tightly around his throat, which levitated him high up towards the ceiling. All Reggie could see was his feet kicking while he gagged and tried to free himself from the situation he was in, however, resistance was futile. His attempt at trying to escape failed, for as the next few seconds went by his body went limp, which hung there swinging back and forth within the cell.