Disclaimer: I do not own I am Number Four. This is the property of Pittacus Lore (James Frey and Jobie Hughes)
A/N: This one is more movie-verse than book-verse. Just want to clear that up. I think this is the longest moment. A huge treat since the last one was so short and with that darn cliffhanger. ;P
Leaving the Past pt. 2
"Who's the kid?" A gruffly voice asked. Logan, Sam and John both turn to see Christ standing above them with a disapproving look on his face. John blinked, feeling a bit lost since Christ didn't have his signature cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He wore a thick turtleneck with his coat in hand and heavy duty backpack slung over his broad shoulders. He looks more like a military man than a father of two teens. He scratched the top of his close cropped hair, glaring at the young man speaking to Six.
"Six's boyfriend," Logan answered as he turned to look at the couple happily chatting away. "I didn't think she had a thing for blond guys. Explains why she doesn't like me." No one was listening to him and instead was intently focused on Six's body language with the mysterious Peter. She was smiling and laughing at his comments. It was odd seeing her so carefree. Odd but not bad. Not bad at all, John thought as she shook her head and smiled brightly. "You might have some luck, Johnny." Logan commented as he slaps John's back. He glared up at Logan before refocusing on Six and Peter.
Peter has a similar body type as John. Lanky but lean. He tugged off his beanie, showing a mess of dirty blond hair that needed to be trim. Six must have commented about it because Peter gingerly combed his hair and chuckled back. Probably agreeing with her. She reached out and ruffled his hair, fingers lingering slightly as she stroked the ends. Peter's green eyes soften and he reached out to grasps her hand and lifts it to his lips.
"Ok guys, have fun playing peeking tom. Remember our flight leaves in two hours, gate E 22." Christ reminded and frowned at his boys. They all nodded their heads but their focus was still trained on action in front of them. Six grew silent as Peter asked her about something. Her shoulders slump and she answered in an even tone, face blank and closed off. Peter is still fiddling with her slender hands, rolling them around in his bigger ones. A strand of her dark hair fell out and he reached up to tuck it in, whispering something soothing and most likely sweet. A dazzling smile bloomed on her face and she chuckled, touching her hair to, nodding her head in agreement. John felt a bout of jealousy ripple through him as the gesture. Logan turned, feeling the twinge and touched John's shoulder.
"John?" The blond young man shook his head, signaling he didn't want to talk about it now. He wants to be the only guy who can make her laugh like that, smile like that, be that happy. Six pulled away from Peter and asked him a question. His green eyes lit up and he started speaking animatedly about something. He was waving his arms and grinned at Six. She returned the smile just as easily. Logan sighed, feeling the same twinge from John again. "Hey, maybe we should go. She seems ok. Hell, dare I say it even happy."
"Yea…" Sam agreed; standing up to crack his back from all the crouching. "Whoever this guy is, he must really like her. Look at that smile." They all look, seeing Peter smile down at her but it slowly began to wane. Peter reached out, holding her hands in his again, asking her something in a low tone. Six didn't pull away, allowing Peter's fingers to lace between hers and his words wash over her. John and Logan could tell by her closed expression and tense shoulders, Peter's words were cutting her close. For a second, Peter looks up and their eyes met. He rests his forehead against hers and whispers something else, something meaningful. Six tries to respond but Peter cuts her off, dipping down and captured her sweet lips. "Ah…"
All the guys watch stunned as Peter kisses Six. The kiss was short as Six was the first to pull away first. Blush peppered her face, making her olive tone skin glow. Panic spread across her face. Her eyes were focused on the tiled floor, no matter what Peter said, she wouldn't look up. "John, get in there!" Logan muttered as he grabbed John's arm and shoved him towards the awkward couple. He stumbled, taking in Six's uncomfortable body language and Peter's pleading stare.
"Eve?" John asked, having no idea what's going to happen next.
"You look good, Peter." Six commented as he lead her to an empty sitting area, away from the prying ears of her 'siblings' and 'friends.' She could still see John, Logan and Sam crouching behind a potted plant out of the corner of her hazel eyes. They got strange looks but her attention was mostly preoccupied by the young man in front of her. He gave her a cocky smile and sat down, pulling her black beanie off his head, showing off his dirty blond locks that started to curl around the nape of his neck.
"I look damn good, Eve." He replied, sitting down and stretching his too long legs in front of him. She rolled her eyes at his comment and sat down across from him. The distance was small but necessary. Her heart beat rapidly and painfully in her chest. Calm down, she ordered herself as she looked up at Peter, forgetting how tall he was. The turtleneck suited him well; bring attention to his broad chest and shoulders. A simple necklace of a shark tooth hung around his neck, the one he got in Hawaii with his parents, Six recalled as she looked at his face. Square chin, soft tan skin, nice nose, soulful eyes, she listed each of his features as her eyes traced them. "Are you committing my devilishly handsome looks in your memory?"
Six scoffed and bit back a smile that almost threatens to spread on her face. "Devilishly handsome my ass. Please… you due for a trim. Your hair's curling." Peter reached up, touching his locks. He seemed confused by the length like he didn't expect it to be that long. "Yes, a haircut is a definite must. You look like a mangy mutt." She reached out, ruffling the locks, marveled by how soft it still felt against her fingers. Peter's joyful laughter filled the air as he lean down; allowing her to run her fingers through his hair. They lingered at the ends, caressing his neck by accident.
"I didn't have my personal hairstylist to cut it." Peter muttered, reaching for her hand and kissing the tips of her fingers. She felt a light jolt from the contact and kept her expression neutral. "You know if your security detail wasn't hiding behind the potted plant, I would kiss you right now." Six's heart did an unnecessary flop when Peter whispered that. A smug smirk appeared on his face as he pointed towards the boys. She turned just so, seeing Christ looming over John and Sam, muttering something. "To tell you the truth, the older gentleman scares the crap out of me." She chuckled and pulled her hand away, giving Christ a little wave, and showing she's ok.
"That's my uncle. He's very protective of me." Six explained, mentally creating the lie in her head. Logan can be her cousin with Sam as his little brother. John… she hesitated, not sure where John could fit in this family tree of theirs. He always stuck out because of his blond hair and blue eyes. "Ever since the death of my mom…" Peter reached out as she trailed off. His warm hands anchored her to the present and not the painful past of Katarine's death.
"Your mom was a wonderful woman." Peter compliment, playing with her hands. Six fought back the tears that always pooled around her eyes when she thought about Katarine. Katarine, who was tortured before her eyes and then killed when she wouldn't tell the Mogadorains where she was. She knew Katarine was staring right at her as she stood there in her invisible state. "So kind… so quiet… so amazing to raise a wonderful girl like you." Six jumped when she felt Peter reach out and tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You need a haircut too."
Six laughed. She laughed because it was better than crying as she touched her hair and agreed. "You're right but I like my hair long. It looks better than yours." Peter gave her a fake shock look, coaxing more giggles out of her. Her eyes drifted to the bag beside him that had a key chain of an American and Japanese flags. "You got into that international school in Japan?" She asked, remembering him talking about the school so much in their junior year. She watched as his green eyes lit up and the smile she loves appeared.
"Yes, all those years of suffering has finally paid off." Peter announced, touching the key chain with a grin. "Though, junior year wasn't so bad with you there suffering beside me, tutoring me and letting me copy your homework."
"Not willingly!" She blurted out, making Peter crack up. She pouted and crossed her arms, wondering why she dealt with him sometimes. "You always whined about never using any of that stuff in real life." Peter shrugged his shoulders, leaned back and smiled at her.
"Just saying…" Peter said. He stared at her, at her little smile and big hazel eyes. "Out of all the airports in the world, we had to meet at this one. It's fate, Eve." Six blinked, not sure if she should agree or disagree. "Why this airport, in this town, in this part of the world?" She looked up into those emerald eyes and searched her head for a reason.
"I need to close this chapter of my life. Things were left unfinished here." Peter's bright smile dimmed as her words registered in his mind. Her heart clenched, seeing such sadness in his face, it physically hurts. His emerald eyes glazed over like he was thinking of a memory. He reached out and clenched her small hand tightly between his. The expression on his face was hard but it softened as he looked into her warm hazel eyes.
"A lot of things revolve around this airport." He started almost conversationally. "This was the very first place I saw you and your mom. Looking around carefully like something was going to jump out and attack you. I thought you were the most beautiful girl when the sunlight hit your skin just so, making you literally glow. I lost you in the crowd and cursed myself for not meeting you there. I never thought you would see you again on the first day of school but when you walk through those doors; my heart literally skipped a beat.
"You occupied so much of my mind during the year, it was insane. I thought I was going through some stalker phase, finding myself obsessing over you. It was far from healthy. But when you cornered me and asked about my creeping, I laughed. Do you remember that, Eve? I laughed in your face, surprised by how blunt you where. In my head, I made you into some saint or angel but you're really something else. That dirty mouth of yours made you human, made you touchable.
"We stared hanging out. Everyone in school loves you despite your cold personality. Eric says you were most likely the only girl who wouldn't fall for an idiot like me. I guess I proved him wrong when I kissed you." Peter touched his cheek like he was remembering something. "You know, you have a mean right hook, Eve. I can almost still feel the bruise." Six gave out a watery laugh; also remembering the day clearly like they were flipping through a photo album and pointing at pictures. "But you still kissed me back and my heart just soared."
Peter gripped Six's hand tighter as the next words flowed out of his mouth. "But things changed after your mother's death, after you told me you had to leave. My heart shattered. It hurts being away from you. It felt wrong, not hearing your voice or seeing your face. I felt empty when you avoid me to pack. At the airport, this very airport, I watched you look at me with those eyes. I forced myself not to run after you. I regret it every day of my life." He gazed into her eyes, trying to convey the words that have been brewing in his head for so long. "Every day, I thought about the moment you'll come back and into my arms but the months slowly passed and you weren't home. Am I just a loose end you need to snip, Eve?"
No, Six thought, wanting so badly to tell him that. But she knew she couldn't encourage these feelings from the man in front of her, no matter how much her heart, soul and body told her too. He doesn't deserve to be thrown into the mess of a life she has. He deserves a wife who would support him. He deserves a little boy and girl who worships him and calls him Daddy. Six knows she can't do that, not now and maybe not ever. She opened her mouth but Peter rested his forehead against hers, silencing her.
"Don't say anything…" He whispered before leaning down to capture her lips. The kiss was familiar, like returning home. His lips molded against hers, gently caressing her lips. Her hands moved on their own accord, trying to pull him closer but she forced herself to push him away. Her eyes focused on the tiled floor, trying to gather her thoughts. Please let this be a dream, she thinks, please let this floor open up and take me away. "Eve…" Peter whispered, tucking a bit of her hair behind her ear, trying to tilt her head up and look into his eyes. But stubborn Six kept her eyes firmly on the ground.
"Eve?" Another voice echoed. Six turned to see John standing there with an adorable confused expression on his handsome face. She knew in that one second, he was her exit plan.
John stood there nervously as he glanced towards Six with concern blue eyes. She looked relieved by his suddenly appearance and stood up. Peter regarded John with a scrutinizing stare, wondering if he should feel threaten by his presence. She stepped close to him and laced her right hand with his left. "Six?" He whispered into her ear, tickling it. She shook her head and looked into his eyes. One look. That was all John needed and he knew. She needs him. Squeezing her smaller hand, he gave her a comforting smile.
"Eve? Who is this?" Peter asked, standing up to meet John. Standing side by side, you can see the difference between the boys. John was a few inches short than Peter. His hair was a shade lighter than Peter's. But John was leaner, stronger and a bit tanner than the human boy. Peter wasn't fazed by him and held his hand, willing to act like a gentleman. "Peter Jennings, I'm Eve's old boyfriend from high school." If John was supposes to be intimidated, he didn't show it and returned the handshake while still holding Six's hand.
"John Smith. And yes, that is my real name." John replied contentedly before looking at Six with an adoring stare as he spoke the next words. "I'm Eve's current boyfriend." Peter blinked, not expecting the honest statement from the young man in front of him. He looked at Six for any sign of lie but she just smiled at the man, hugging his arm to her chest like how a girlfriend might act.
"I didn't realize you were dating anyone." Peter stated lamely as he noticed the pure adoration in John's eyes. He studied their body language as John whispered something into Six's ear. Like how Six seemed so naturally lean into John like he was her rock. Like John's gaze soften when Six's laughed and smiled at him. Peter sighed, admitting defeat to the young man in front of him. "My mistake, Eve. I won't say I'm sorry for stealing a kiss though." He gave John a cheeky grin which John rolled his eyes at. This guy wasn't even half as bad as Logan.
"Peter," Six called out, reaching into her neck and pulling a silver chain over her neck with a key attached to it. Peter internally smiled; glad she kept the necklace close to her heart for all these time but frown when she forced the accessory into his palm. "I can't keep this anymore. I can't keep you anymore." Those words cut him deep but he continued smiling. She released John's hand and wrapped her arms around Peter's narrow waist, pulling him into one last hug. Peter didn't care if John was hovering nearby with a glare. He leaned down and inhaled her sweet scent, kissing her hair and returning the hug with equal force.
"Ok, I can accept that. Now, I need to have a man-to-man talk with John. I won't punch him." He quickly added as he noticed the suspicious look on her cute face. "He'll come back to you unharmed." He promised, tapping her nose as she stepped away. She gave John a questioning stare which he assured with a hug and a whispered promise. Six leaned up and kissed his cheek, reminding John what gate number and when their flight left. He rolled his eyes at her nagging and kissed her forehead, muttering he'll be fine. The two boys watched as she met up with Logan and Sam and disappeared into the crowd. "You know, it took me almost a month for Eve to kiss me in public on the cheek." Peter mentioned nonchalantly as he returned to his seat, gesturing John to take Eve's.
John sat gingerly, keeping his expression closed as he looked at Peter. Peter recognized the distrust in the boy's blue eyes and tried to give him a friendly smile. "Look, I'm not going to try to steal her away from you." Peter said, wanting to clear that up before tackling other things. John visibly relaxed, making Peter wonder about him. "When did you and Eve meet?" He asked.
"At her mother's funeral," John answered in a grave voice. "Bless that woman's heart." Peter nodded his head, offering a silent prayer for the deceased woman. "Logan, the young man from before, is her cousin and also my best friend. Her mother was his favorite aunt and I thought I should be there for him. I got lost looking for Logan and Eve was there, trying not to cry. At the time, I didn't know it was her mother's funeral I was attending. When I saw her tear stained face, my heart cracked. I gave her a shoulder to cry on, silently comforting her in her time of need." Peter nodded his head; silently glad John was there to comfort Six when he couldn't.
"When did you two start dating?" He questioned, trying to steer the conversation to a happier time. Again, another fake memory appeared in John's head, clear as day. A soft smile that rang no falsehood spread on his face, making the memory almost seem real.
"Near the end of our senior year," John recalled lightly. "We've been spending a lot of time since she's been living at Logan's house and I came by almost daily. I've liked her for a while and luck was on my side when we were paired up for a physic project. We were alone in the lab and I leaned over and kissed her. She was shocked and almost strangled me if it wasn't for a teacher appearing right then. After that, we've been avoiding each other until the same teacher forced us into the lab and to finish our project. Crazy coot… We did that project and Eve asked me why I kissed her. I couldn't lie to her so I blurted out the truth. I needed to kiss her or else I was going to regret it from the rest of my life if I didn't see her ever again. She laughed until tears streamed down her cheeks. I thought she was sad and I figured I ruined my chance with her. But she leaned over and pulled me close before kissing me, calling me a damn fool. We've dated ever since."
Peter sighed and pulled out the necklace Six gave him. "I gave her this on her birthday and then kissed her. She smacked me, stormed off but then returned to grab the necklace. It's the key to my heart." John covered his mouth to hide his smile. "Oh laugh all you want, I know it's sappy. That was a year ago." Peter grabbed John's hand and forced the necklace into his hand. "Keep it; it doesn't work for my heart anymore. Oh god, that sounds even sappier."John nodded his head as Peter groaned in distress. "See what this girl's done to me. You might want to get out while you're still you."
"Not a chance." John answered truthfully.
"Good choice. Eve is a special girl that comes only once in a lifetime. I lost my chance and I would give up everything just to get it back but turning back time is impossible. Hold on to her, hold on tight and never let go, John. Because Eve will try everything if she wants to go."
"She's a stubborn one." John answered before standing up to shake Peter's hand. "But I'm even more stubborn." Peter nodded his head, laughing before disappearing into a crowd of people, onto a plane to take him far away from this place that harbors too many memories for him and a certain girl.
A/N2: Ok, one more part and then this arc is over.