Disclaimer: I do not own I am Number Four. This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: I got the idea for Logan's (Five's) legacy on the I Am Number Four wikia page.
Flirting part 3
"Ow, ow, ow! Watch where you put that thing." Logan whined as he leaned away from the antibiotic ointment soaked cotton ball. John scowled at the older boy and tossed the cotton ball into the trash can. He was obviously pissed being the one to tend to the annoying older Loric.
It was late afternoon at the ranch. Sam and Six both volunteered to tend to the animals while Christ started packing things they needed for their long trip. The computer humming was the only sound beside the shuffling of first aid equipment and breathing from the boys. Logan was sitting on the couch with an open cut on the side of his right temple and another matching one on his left cheek. His dark brown hair was messy. John sat on the coffee table in front of him, searching the first aid kit for some band aids.
"Do you often play nurse?" Logan asked, feeling the need to fill the silence.
"No." John answered evenly as he handed Logan a band aid. "Six usually does but judging by what happen earlier, she'll most likely kill you than heal you." Logan didn't miss the clip tone or loud jumbling of supplies that followed his answer. He could feel anger and frustration radiating off the young man in front of him. Nor would I let you close to her, John thought as he shoved another roll of gauzes. A smirk tugged at Logan's lips, already knowing why the blond Loric was angry at him.
"Johnny boy," Logan started, earning him a tired glare from his companion. "Just wondering but did you ever have a girlfriend?" John blinked, hesitating. Logan, sensing the uncertainty continued to fill the tense silence. "You're a handsome fellow. I mean if the girls in town couldn't keep their eyes off of you in the diner." Still, John didn't answer, keeping his face blank and hidden but his feelings were churning. Memories of Sarah ran through his head like a movie reel. Logan felt an intense wave of happiness and content wash over him, almost physically pushing at him. He closed his eyes to hide the discomfort but Logan knows John just needs a little push for him to talk. "I had a few girls in my years, nothing really special though. Come on John, talking will help. We're all Lorics here."
"There was a girl in our old town." John muttered, caving. He knows he has to talk about this with someone, sometime. "We were close. Really close." John's head flashed memories of Sarah. Sarah with her sunny smile and cute button nose. Her shining blue eyes that would stare back at him through a lens of her camera, posed to capture every moment of their short relationship. Blonde hair that John would curl his fingers through, marvel at how soft it felt. More memories followed and Logan cringed as he felt happiness changed into a dark aura of sadness. The separation must be physically painful for the young man in front of him. "I left her behind, to keep her safe. I love her."
Logan studied John's face, seeing pure sadness in his eyes. If he feels so strongly for his old girlfriend, then why are there some flutters of something towards Six? Logan closed his eyes, cursing himself for thinking up this plan but he has to do it, he has to know what the hell is going on between the two.
"Then I'm correct to assume Six is free. Good, makes taking the hit worth it." John snapped out of his happy memories of his old girlfriend and gave Logan as suspicious glance. Logan had his arrogant smirk on his face. He was glancing outside towards the barn where Six and Sam were finish up the chores. Logan placed his elbows on his knees, leaning closer to John. "Why else do you think Six attacked me today?" He licked his lips like he's savoring a taste of something. "I made my move. Six is a damn good kisser." John snapped, moving quickly. Logan read it though, dodging the punch. It collided with the wall directly behind Logan, leaving the boys a few inches away from each other. Heated glares were traded. Logan nearly smirked as he felt waves upon waves of intense anger emitting from John. "John, you can't have both." John couldn't say anything back without wanting to smash his fist into the boy's face. He stood up and head out the door to cool off.
"Logan…"The boy turned to see his Cepan shake his head in disappointment as he descended the steps with his chest in hand. "Are you trying to turn your partners against you? Because you're doing an amazing job." Logan rolled his eyes and touched the hole John created in the wall. Christ set the things down and started unhooking the computers. He turned his green eyes towards the window, seeing Sam and Bernie heading back, avoiding a seething John who was going to the barn where Six was. "You know only sensiors play with emotions like you do… oh. That's your legacy."
"Good work Sherlock." Logan said, feeling everything calm down since the distance between him and John increased. "My Loric friends are just a barrel of emotions and so easy to rile up." Christ still wasn't please with Logan hiding his legacy. "Look Christ, I didn't want to use you as a test subject for my powers. I have morals."
"And playing with their emotions are ok?" Christ countered, looking towards the barn. Logan had the decency to look guilty. "What did you start Logan?" Sensiors are manipulative by nature but usually for what they think is the greater good. Logan wasn't an exception from that trait. "They're going to be pissed at you."
"I know." Logan answered, already thinking about the consequences. "But, this can be good for them. They can be good for each other. I'll let Six pound the crap out of me and John… hell, he can beat me up too if he wants."
A loud pounding beat could be heard from Six's headphones as she attacked the second punching bag with rapid kicks and punches. Her eyes focus on the hole created earlier when Logan slammed into it. She channeled the anger she felt at that moment, ignoring the pain and sweat. Her dark hair was tied up in a ponytail, no strands teasing her serious face. She kept moving, focusing on her movements and not her thoughts. But as she fell into a rhythm, her mind began to wander.
You feel something for him. Whatever it is, you don't want to feel it. Or rather, you won't allow yourself to feel it. The punches suddenly came faster and harder as Logan's words repeated in Six's head. Unlike Logan, she knows that the name of the emotion is. She understands the emotion can act like a double edge sword. Either making her stronger or weaken her beyond repair. Love is the emotion she wants to bury in her heart and never open again. What happened to her Cepan was a result of Six's love for her. Their mother-daughter relationship was cut short because of Six's love. And she was forced to watch as the life disappeared from her Cepan's eyes.
Why wasn't I stronger? Why couldn't I save her? Six thought as she continued pounding the bag ruthlessly, channeling the frustration and anger in every hit. But she can still feel the tears building up behind her hazel eyes that were threatening to spill. She gave the bag one last frustrated kick before collapsing to the ground, gasping for breaths. She closed her eyes, trying to will away the tears. Feelings are useless, she thought as she slipped the headphones off her head and clicked her iPod off.
"I should have let you kill Logan." Six fumbled with her iPod as she turned to the newly created hole from today's fiasco. A soft light appeared from John's hand, illuminating the barn. He was holding a water bottle and towel for her with a concern expression on his face. Using her telekinesis, she floated the bottle and towel towards her. John rested his back against the barn wall, waiting for her to come out. "I really should have let you kill him." Six furiously rubbed her face, trying to get rid of the tears and gulped the water, listening to his words intently. "He's annoying." An unexpected smile appeared on her face as she walked out to meet him. John's blue eyes were smile back at her. "Very annoying."
"See? Teaches you to think before saving a fool's life." Six muttered back earning a joyful chuckle from John. Neither of the teens wanted to head back to the house, knowing that an annoying talkative Loric was waiting for them. They opted for a walk around the ranch again, just to check everything out. Six pulled her hair out of the ponytail and lead the way with John lighting the path with his built in flashlights.
"Do you want to play a game?" Six asked almost gingerly when they found a spot on a fence to sit. Six was balanced on the post with John leaned against it. They were staring out, watching the sun dip down behind the mountains in the distance.
"Sure, what game?" John asked, looking at the girl beside him. On the fence, Six towered over him by a foot. "I Spy?" Even in the dim light, John could see the female Loric roll her eyes at his childish suggestion. "Alright, hotshot, what should we play?"
Six hesitated and looked into John's blue eyes. In his eyes, Six could see trust, complete trust that was impossible to find in some people. I can let him in, even if it's just a bit, Six deemed as she looked into the horizon again. "It's called Shadow. A game my Cepan created when we have long road trips. It's..." Six tried to find the right words to describe such an important part of her training and also time spent with her Cepan. John stood patiently, amused by a sight of a speechless Six. "Mental training?"
"Are you asking me or telling me?" John replied back unable to resist the urge to tease the dark haired beauty in front of him. Six immaturely stuck her tongue out at him and crossed her arms, pouting. His smile grew as he noticed the curve of her lips in an unfamiliar pout. Lips that Logan kissed, a voice in his head reminded. John banished the voice away and kept the light mood. "Is Six pouting?" He asked with fake astonishment. Six glared at him which coaxed laughter to burst from the blond young man. Annoyed by the young man, Six moved to get away but John's arm grabbed her upper right arm. "Ok, ok, I'll stop teasing." The sparkle in his blue eyes told otherwise but Six stayed. "Want to explain the rules?"
"It's a mental game forcing you to mentally visualize a fight instead of physically doing it." Six rattled off, suddenly finding words to describe the game. "It's hard at first and maybe a little confusing but it really does help in real life. At least I thought it did." Six murmured the last part, semi embarrassed by the idea of a game. This is a stupid idea, Six thought wishing she never brought it up. John cracked his knuckles and put on his game face.
"Ok, hit me with your best shot." John answered, eyes closed to help with visualizing. Six admired his determined face before closing her eyes too, imaging a situation in her head.
"A Mogadorian scout charges at you from twelve o'clock, with a gun positioned to fire at you." She opened her eyes, wondering how John would counter. His eyes were scrunched in deep thought. His lips curled into a frown. The light drumming of his fingers against the wood followed as he thought hard.
"Telekinesis the gun away and punch him in the jaw."
"He blocks your punch and returns it."
"Crouch down."
"Dagger is pulled out and he's about to stab your left side."
"Catch dagger with my right hand, twist and step closer, elbowing him and disarming him at the same time."
"Wow, impressive, I'll like to see that maneuver in training."
"Six..."
"Ok," she said, smiling a bit before thinking about the next part. Her smile quickly changed into a frown when a thought crossed her mind. It's probably cruel, Six thought but the words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them."Another Mogadorain appeared, holding Sarah Hart captive with a sword to her throat." John's eyes opened and he turned to face the brunette girl. Six's eyes were focus on the mountains, refusing to look at John. She was biting her lips, regretting even saying those words. The reason they separated from his girlfriend was so she could be safe. But that doesn't mean a situation like that couldn't happen. "What do you do, John?" Six asked in a clip tone. John made a mad sound in the back of his throat as he racked his mind for answers.
Several scenarios ran through his mind but all with Sarah getting hurt. He opened his mouth, ready to admit he had nothing to the Loric girl but a thought appeared. In the dying sun, Six looked imposing and untouchable. Her hair now flowed out freely and softly, taking the hard edge off of her. In the months they travel together, John realized how reliable she is, how important she is to their survival. But not only that, John realized what an interesting person Six is. She completely immerses herself in her fighting, practice or not. She's constantly striving to control her legacies, knowing that death could be staring them in the eyes just around the corner. Six also has a playful side if the opportunity is just right. The girl beside him has grown into such a big part of his life, just like his Sarah. Maybe even bigger than Sarah.
"I would wait." John answered, eyes focusing on Six to judge her reaction. "I would wait for the amazing invisible Six to appear behind him and stab the bastard in the back." Six slowly turned to him, face blank of any emotion. John reached out, wanting to touch her and convey how much he trusts her, how much she means to him. This unconditional trust happened so fast and it scares him. "Six, you have no idea how much I trust you." How much I need you, John thought but couldn't say. "I just need you to know that."
Something in Six cracked that night. That small box where she kept Love locked in and forgotten started to break. The boy with blonde hair, blue eyes and completely trust to a girl he met a few months ago broke the carefully constructed box in Six's heart. Six looked away, unable to stare into those eyes, knowing he loves another. "Fool," she murmured addressing both of them as the sun dips down behind the mountains. The darkness hid John's honest face and Six's heartbroken expression.
A/N2: And now another part! JK! I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with this ending the arc of Flirting but it seems fitting. Kind of sad though with not much flirting in the end. I like tragic love stories and Six and John just seem like a tragic love story waiting to happen. If you don't get it, then I've failed as a writer. Please PM me if you want any type of explanation. I promise I won't bite. Reviews are welcome as always.