Chapter 7
3rd POV
It was a couple of weeks later and they were all down in HQ. Oscar was sitting, staring at Kittie who was sat with her eyes closed away from the computers and humming a lullaby. Carrie was rolling around on a chair across the room, trying to avoid hitting anyone. Rose was sat with Frank sorting out some files with Frank watching her and giving the odd comment. The elevator dinged and Stark stepped out and looked around. He looked at Carrie and glared. He looked at Kittie, frowned, and then glared. He forgot she was coming here. He looked at Oscar and scowled.
"Stupid Dixon-Halliday boy. Young spies shouldn't be used, especially the boys. They're just hormones on legs and don't have the experience and maturity of adults."
He coughed and they all jumped except Kittie-she'd learnt to ignore him. "Right, we've got a location. Let's go."
They walked towards the lift and Oscar stopped.
"I think I'll take the stairs. Coming Kittie? Kittie?" He looked behind him and saw her sat in her chair still. "Are you coming? What's wrong?"
He walked over to her and knelt beside her. She shook her head.
"I can't. I promised my Uncle I wouldn't do any fieldwork, at least not yet. I don't want to get hurt or, for us to lose anyone else. I'm sorry. I guess I'll just go home if there's nothing for me to do."
Oscar turned to Frank. "Can't she stay here and use the computer to monitor what we're doing?"
Frank shook his head. "No. it's not allowed. She can't stay here on her own, I'm sorry. Go home Kittie and spend some time with your family. You've not seen them in a while so go home."
"But Frank!" Oscar protested.
"London's right Agent Cole. She goes home." Stark smirked, a hint of smugness in his voice.
Oscar glared at Stark and Kittie stood up and moved towards Oscar. "Oscar, please. Just, just…"
"Oscar stepped back slowly and nodded, still glaring at Stark. "Fine,"
Kittie walked to the stairs and brushed past Oscar, gently tapping the back of his fists as she went past. Oscar relaxed slightly and stared at her. "I'll see you guys on Monday then."
"Kittie, wait!" She stopped and turned back towards Oscar. "I'll still walk up with you."
She shook her head and stepped back. "No Oscar. You really should go with them. You'll take too long on the stairs anyway and I wouldn't wanna make you late." She took his hand and led them to the others. "Frank, look after him please. Keep an eye on him and don't let him be stupid."
Frank nodded and Oscar shuffled nervously. She squeezed his hand fondly and smiled. "Look after yourself, please. Remember what I said last night, alright?"
He nodded stiffly. Carrie yawned and Rose elbowed her. Kittie turned to look at them and faced Oscar again, smiling. "Be safe, Osc and no getting hurt." He smiled as she let go and walked towards the stairs. "You still up for helping me with the younger ones at the hotel tomorrow?"
He nodded. "Of course. See you at 12?"
She smiled and nodded. "Yup. Bring a change of clothes. There'll be paint everywhere."
Frank nodded, knowing that was his cue to take them away. He walked up to Oscar and laid a hand on his shoulder. Oscar nodded, looked at Kittie one last time and walked into the elevator after Stark, Rose and Carrie. The five of them went up.
Kittie sighed with relief and pulled her bag out from under Frank's desk. Her phone vibrated and she answered, opening the bag with her other hand. "Lex? Yeah, they've gone. Meet me at the back of camp in 10 minutes, okay?" She pulled a blond wig out of the bag and smiled. "Hopefully he won't realise. Just you and me, remember. Just got to get changed; can't really wear a skirt, can I? Don't be late."
She hung up and fingered the wig. She picked her stuff up and walked into a side room, unknown to all of them except her and Frank, before shutting the door.
Honey was stood by a clump of trees, whistling in a bored manner. Behind her she heard a noise and turned around, poised ready to attack. Alex stumbled out of the bushes and was met by a fist in his face. He groaned as the fist made contact with his nose, bruising it and he stepped back to avoid being hit again. "Hon, please stop. It's me. Honey, Miercola!"
He grabbed hold of her wrists to avoid being clawed and winced as she kicked him hard in the shins. He twisted around, still holding her wrists so that he was behind her. "Miercola, stop, please. It's me, Alex, your Lexi, remember? Honey, stop. You're okay."
She relaxed and hung limp. He let go and turned her around. Her eyes were filled with tears. He hugged her, holding her trembling form. "Shh Honey, it's alright."
"I just, I miss him so much and it was all my fault but now, now I'm so confused about… I like him; of course I do but is it too soon? He's only been dead not that long but he's gone and I really like him but… I don't know anymore."
He stroked her hair lightly and pushed her away slightly. "I know you miss him and I know you're confused but you've got to stay strong. It wasn't your fault okay? Don't ever think that. Now, stop crying. You don't want him to see you like this, do you?"
She shook her head and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "You're right. But it's not me he's here to see or likes. He likes Kittie now, not me." She sighed and let go, a small smile on her lips. "Come on, we don't want to be late. You know how much he hates me as it is. Being late would add to the hatred." She took his hand and led him down the path towards a large grey building.
"They're here?" he whispered. She shook her head. "They were. Stark doesn't know that yet. The new location is the one behind. It's bigger and has higher security."
"That's not what I meant. They've been here right in front of us this whole time?"
She shook her head again. "No Lex. Be realistic. If they'd been here the whole time we could have got them weeks ago. No, they moved here yesterday. Abbey said so."
"Abbey? Oh, Abbey. I wondered what happened to her. So, like Alan she's been…"
"Yes, but I don't want to talk about that right now." She stopped and looked around, frowning. "They should be here by now. They left before me, so where are they? I bet Oscar got annoyed about leaving Kittie. Or Stark did his best to stop them coming. He hates young spies. No, he hates us all. He's just bitter and thinks we're not good enough, not got what it takes."
Alex smirked. "Honey, stop rambling." He looked up and shaded his eyes. "Hon, stop." He elbowed her and she glared at him.
"What was that for?"
He nodded at the roof and she looked up. On the roof were about half a dozen MI9 soldiers pointing guns at the two of them, the rest scattered around and staring at them, guns to the side.
"Oh, that. Okay, where's Frank?"
"Umm…" Alex looked around. "There, by the garage with the blue door."
She nodded and stepped slowly forward, the guns following her as she moved.
"Hon, come back. They'll kill you!"
"No they won't. They, they… Frank won't let them. Anyway, why would I care? I have nothing left to live for."
"Yes you do. What about your family? You still have them. You still have me. What about Oscar?"
Honey's POV
I didn't care they were pointing guns at me. I really, I really didn't care. I had lost so much and if they decided to shoot me, well it was their loss. I bet they're Stark's men. He's such an idiot. Frank knows I'm coming but he probably doesn't. Wait, he should do and has chosen to ignore it. Jeez, he really hates me, and Kittie. Does he know though? I don't think he does. I smiled slightly. That's kind of amusing but then no-one really knows except Frank and the rest of our lot.
"Hon, come back. They'll kill you!" called Alex. I snorted. Like they would. Although, he did sound rather worried. No, he was just panicking, like always.
"No they won't. They, they…" They what? Stupid Stark. Frank wouldn't let anything happen to me. I shook my head.
"Frank won't let them. Anyway, why would I care? I have nothing left to live for."
In a way it was true. I had very little left, so what did I care? Deep down I knew it was all a front. I did care, but I didn't want to.
"Yes you do. What about your family?"
Damn Alex, trying to make me turn around.
"You still have them. You still have me."
I almost stopped. I knew I had him. He was my best friend, the only best friend I had left apart from Elle but she was… where was she again? Oh yes, lost, MIA. But I had lost so much more. Granted, I'd be leaving the little ones with Uncle Tristan but maybe, just maybe MI9 would take a hint and allow Michael to stop. He'd need to look after them with Jack and Uncle Max could come home. Sure, I'd miss them and they'd miss me, a lot but it'd be worth it I think. I just don't care. I miss robin, Sam, argh!
"What about Oscar?"
I stopped, dead in my tracks. Oscar. What about him? I liked him, I did, I was sure I did. How much did I like him? I don't know. I still miss…Sam but… I'm so confused. I looked towards the garage door and smiled. Oscar was there looking cute in his moodiness. I started moving forward again, faster this time. Wait, what? I stopped.
"Come on Alex. I'm not leaving you behind." Rule something or other, um 6 I think; never leave anyone behind/out, in this case, behind.
I looked back at him and rolled my eyes. He looked moody and cool-as-a-cucumber but I knew he was scared. He hated guns, never touching them in practice, always coming up with some excuse. I knew why even if no-one else did. He was not as cool or carefree as he seemed. I held out my hand. "Do you trust me?"
He looked up, startled. I knew Oscar was looking at me but I didn't care. Right now I was focussing on Alex, my friend, and ignoring the cute guy behind me.
"Do you trust me?" I asked again, wishing he'd hurry up. I was getting cold just standing here and I hate being cold. No. I shook my head. Friends are more important. I saw Alex smile slightly and hesitantly step towards me. I smirked. If he didn't get a move on, they'd know he was scared.
He took my hand and squeezed it. "Thanks," he mumbled.
"No problem. Come on, smile. There's no need to be scared. You ready?"
He nodded slightly. I was glad he was calming down and that quoting his favourite Disney film had worked. I wasn't ready to force him, not after the last time I forced someone to do something.
We started walking and I felt a hot red light on the back of my neck. I knew it was time to run. We raced across the open ground like ninja's, dodging the bullets as the men shot at us. As we stopped in front of Stark and everyone else, Frank looked up, startled. I smiled.
"Hey Frank. Next time, they need to shoot quicker-they're too slow and there's no way they could've hit a trained professional. Nice to see you all again, under better circumstances too."
I dropped Alex's hand, knowing he'd be putting on his tough-guy act again. I nodded at Rose and Carrie, grateful for them having Charlie last time I saw them, pausing slightly when I looked at Oscar and smiled sweetly at Stark before turning to Frank. "Seriously, they're not good enough, sorry Starky."
Rose and Carrie chuckled and spluttered, turning their laughter into small coughing fits as Stark glared at them and then at me.
"Agent Harper, be sensible and no derivations of any names."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm rolling my eyes Sam," I said absentmindedly before stopping abruptly as I remembered he wasn't there anymore. Oscar looked at me and I sighed inwardly of course. Maybe he was figuring things out. I'd been sloppy, giving so many hints which I hoped he'd missed but… I don't think he had. I looked around at them nervously. "I, I, I'm sorry. I forgot. I'm just used to him being here and all. I'm just not used to not having to say things like that."
"Never mind," said Frank kindly and rather awkwardly like he didn't know what to say but he felt he needed to.
I shook my head before turning to Oscar. "Thanks Oscar. If, if you hadn't made me put on my mask last time, then I'd… I'd probably be dead now."
He blinked at me, surprised. "Um, no, no problem um Honey. But I didn't do much."
I shrugged. In a sense he had done so much. He'd shocked me enough to move, just like Sam used to do. Gosh how I missed him but I couldn't think about that now.
"This way," I said, pointing towards the gap we could use to get to the building behind.
Stark stared at me, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. "What…what, no. They're here in this building. We were just waiting for you two, who were late. Typical."
I stared at Stark. He really was an idiot. "No Stark, we were not late, you were just early. It is now exactly 15:27:06, like Frank said so I am on time, as is Alex. Secondly, they moved buildings. Don't ask how I know, I just do. They're in the one behind."
I walked away towards the gap and sighed, turning around to look at them. "Come on, this way."
Alex wandered forward and Oscar followed. Carrie and Rose stepped forward hesitantly and I knew Frank was waiting to go last. I also knew that Stark didn't trust me but I didn't care. I sauntered down, my hair swishing from side to side and I smiled as I heard Oscar sigh happily. This was definitely going to be fun.
I stopped suddenly, causing everyone else to create a domino style halt. Alex smirked and shook his head at me. I didn't need to see him to know what he was doing.
"Why've you stopped? Stupid girl, just keep moving," I heard Stark mutter and I scowled.
In front of me were a bunch of men dressed in red overalls who were unloading a bunch of boxes containing what looked like rainbow shaped sweets but were really poisonous.
"They're still moving stuff around. They'll be gone in a minute- it's the last box. Oh and don't touch the 'sweets' or just don't touch anything. Rule 9, please follow and that does include you 'Lex seeing as you know the rules and I guess these guys may not."
Stark rolled his eyes and I whirled round to glare at him. "Go back to whatever hole you crawled out from. You don't like me, I don't like you but I know more than you do here so listen. If you don't like it, I suggest you do what I suggested first when you sulk. Just because I'm younger than you, doesn't mean I'm inferior. Everyone has said I am a better agent than you because I'm not childish, rude, arrogant, or mean. You may be the higher ranking officer, but right now I think I'll do a better job than you as your bitterness is clouding your judgement. Bog off Stark or behave and shut up!"
He blinked and backed up, muttering nonsense. Oscar looked shocked and I frowned slightly. I didn't mean to scare him. I shook my head. There was no way I was going to let a boy get in my way of being a good spy-again.
I looked over again and saw the last two men in red overalls enter the building, most probably accidently leaving a small box of poison pills-ooh I like the sound of that. "Focus Honey," I scolded myself. This was worse than thinking about boys!
"Right, they've gone inside. As I said, don't touch anything. Those 'sweets' are poisonous and are going to be used to poison the people of something. Alex, grab them but try not to actually let them touch you. Come on. You go in; I'll be in in a sec. Wait, wait, better idea!" I slapped myself mentally. I was so stupid having forgotten what Abbey had sent me. I knelt down and pulled out several red overall things from my bag. "Here, there's um four. You guys put one on each, Alex that includes you too. Um… I'm planning here, just hold on. Frank, you and Stark and his men stay here. We'll go in and when you lose communication with me, come in. Right, now, um put the small box of the 'sweets' in my rucksack, and take me in. Tell them you caught me. It'll have to be Alex and Oscar as the girls aren't guards or anything. Rose, Carrie, wait for us to go in first. Once the doors have closed, count to 100 then go in. Um, okay. Is everyone ready?"
They nodded as Oscar turned around, having sorted out the collar of the overall. My breath caught in my throat and I felt all weak at the knees. Alex caught me as I slipped and Oscar took my left arm.
"Are you alright?" he asked, a little worriedly.
I nodded shakily. "Y-yes. I'm fine. Just getting into character." I smiled at him and handed him the bag. Both Alex and I knew that was a blatant lie but we'd been taught how to lie well so I hope it didn't show. I was so shocked, partly because when Oscar turned around he looked so damn cute and partly because he looked so much like Sam in that instant that I thought I was seeing my dead boyfriend again, which I couldn't be.
Alex steered me towards the grey doors with Oscar supporting my other side. Alex kicked the back of my knees and I winced from the pain. Granted I could recover from that quicker than most but it still hurt like hell, especially with those great clumpy boot things he kicked me with. Just before we entered I shook my head.
"One you need the code um… 276891 and two, I can't… you need to hold me up for a bit. Thirdly, can you take the blue badge and the red one out of the front pocket and put them in my left hand please."
Oscar nodded and pressed them into my hand before closing my fingers around them. I closed my eyes happily, before frowning, remembering I need to seem like I was in pain – which I was a little. I heard one of them type in the code and I remembered the girls didn't know it.
"Wait," I croaked. "Rose and Carrie don't know the code."
Oscar smiled down at me kindly. "It's alright; they can hear all that we say thanks to Frank making these clip things now on the overalls. Are you alright? Honey?"
I nodded shakily. "Like I said, all an act. We better get a move on." Quick thinking to change the topic. I didn't like being hurt but I wasn't going to tell him.
He nodded and pulled open the doors before the pair of them half-dragged me into the dimly lit corridor. Show time.
We walked down several corridors, following directions from my fingers and I was glad I had memorised the route. We entered a large bright room and I blinked rapidly, partially blinded by the light.
"What have we got here?" came a sinister voice in front of me.
I blinked and tried to see who the speaker was. In front of me was a tall thin white male, dressed from head to toe in a long black leather coat, black trousers, and black shirt that exposed his pale-white throat. His dark hair was jelled and smoothed flat on the top of his head. He wore no jewellery except one small silver stud in his left ear lobe. His hands were coarse and rough, presumably from heavy labour. His left ring finger had a small chunk missing from it, although his nails were clean and buffed, contrasting to the tale from his hands. He was holding a black Indiana Jones-style hat that he placed on his head as he spoke, his head held low at an angle so I couldn't see his face, He lifted it up and I stared into his dark blue eyes. They didn't look cruel but sparkled and I sighed, a little bit relieved – I knew he wasn't really bad which was good. His dark eyebrows knitted together as he frowned and lifted up my chin, trying to examine my face. His eyes widened as he recognised me but he lifted his hand to stroke my cheek, his lips pursed together in a cruel smile. I flinched and tried to pull away but Oscar's tight grip restricted my movement.
"My, my. You're a pretty little thing, aren't you? Now, what's a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?"
"I got lost," I mumbled, trying to move away.
"Really?" He raised his eyebrows but moved his hand away from my face.
I nodded. "Yes, my, my school, I got lost of our field trip and these people helped me. Now, I think I'll just go seeing as my school will be worried so…" I tried to back away but was pulled forward again by Alex and Oscar, and I cursed out loud, making it look like I'd forgotten they were holding me.
"Why don't you stay? We'd love to have you stay here with us."
"But my school, they'll think I'm lost, which I was until I found you guys. Thanks, but I better be getting back to school now or to the coach at least."
"Enough." His voice was loud and clear but strangely not strongly demanding, making me stop as I tried to pull away.
"You and I both know that you weren't lost on a field trip. What kind of school would let you wear that?"
I looked down and frowned. "What if I want to wear this? It could've been non-uniform for all you know. Or my school could have no uniform. Not all of them do."
He snorted. "Enough with the lies. Who are you and who do you work for? Who sent you?" He reached for my face again and I flinched. He stepped back slowly and smiled. "Alright, take her to Murdaug. Maybe he'll persuade her to talk. Goodbye for now my pretty."
He laughed and turned away. I chose that instant to drop the red badge onto the floor and crush it with the toe of my boot. Oscar looked at me and nodded slightly, knowing they'd be here soon. As the boys dragged me forward, out of the corner of my eye I saw Rose and Carrie talking quietly to Abbey. It was all coming together. I tried to pull away and was hit on the side of my face by Oscar. "Quiet, scum." I gasped; surprised that he'd even been able to hit me. I guess I was wrong.
I was dropped in front of a tall, broad man who was clean shaven and bald. His cold green eyes glinted evilly and I gulped. This was the sort of man who could kill a person with their bare hands. I felt Oscar and Alex move away to spread out in the room, Abbey, Rose and Carrie doing the same too. Nearly ready. Alex moved so he was in front of me but to the right (my left) of Murdaug I think that's what black-hat-guy called him, and Alex placed two fingers on his trousers. Two minutes and they'd be here but a lot can happen in two minutes. I smiled and then flinched as Murdaug boomed orders before turning his attention back to me.
"I hear you don't want to talk. Well Flaxx couldn't make a button talk. I'll make you sing little birdie. Stand up. I said STAND UP!"
I groaned and tried to stand up but ended up collapsing again. He yanked me to my feet really quickly and I felt my stomach drop as my feet were lifted from beneath me.
"Now, sing," he said, cupping my face with his huge hand.
"Bite me," I muttered, jerking my head away.
He chuckled. "Feisty, aren't you? No matter, we'll soon pull that out of you." He turned towards some of the red-jump suits behind him. "Give me, the device." He was handed a long metal tube that was sparking although he wasn't getting shocked as he was holding onto the rubber handle.
My eyes widened. I had heard about this but to think they'd use it… on me! I tried to back away but was roughly pushed forward by black-hat-guy who was now stood behind me. He held out my arm and pushed my sleeve back, exposing the bare flesh. Murdaug grinned evilly and lowered the pole towards my flesh, the air crackling. Again I tried to back away but couldn't. Black-hat-guy tightened his grip on my wrist and pushed me forward into Murdaug and the pole. As the electrified metal touched my flesh, I screamed and sank to my knees, tears streaming down my face.
"Well, are you ready to talk?" asked a pair of grey army boots that stepped into my blurred vision. I lifted my head up and glared defiantly.
"Never," I whispered back. Through my tears I saw Alex looking thunderous, Oscar was shooting daggers from his eyes and Murdaug was smirking and twirling the pole.
"I hoped you'd say that."
I dropped the blue badge, shot up and grabbed the metal pole with my hands, my teeth gritted, trying to ignore the pain. I yanked it away and took hold of the rubber handle so that I was no longer screaming inside and I was rewarded by Murdaug's startled face. I slammed the pole onto the badge muttering "You lose mate."
The thin plastic shattered and clouds of blue smoke billowed everywhere. Murdaug coughed and tried to bark orders, choked and ended up coughing again. I was blinded by the smoke but I didn't need to see. I moved towards Alex and Oscar, took Oscar's hand with my free hand and made sure Alex was holding onto me.
"Come on, let's find the others before Stark enters." I didn't wait for an answer and just moved forward, ignoring the fact Oscar was holding my hand, Honey's hand. I blinked and saw Abbey stood with Rose and Carrie and I smiled, glad they were safe. Abbey ran forward and hugged me awkwardly.
"Thanks. Are you alright? You screamed really loudly and then… your hands! Let me see."
Oscar let go and Abbey gave my pole to Alex before turning my hands over. Her delicate fingers brushed along my palms and I winced as searing hot flames raced along, burning, causing my skin to throb in red angry welts.
"Freeze, this is MI9. You're all under arrest," came Stark's voice from the back of the room.
The smoke cleared and the red-suits and Murdaug were surrounded by MI9 soldiers aiming guns at them. Oscar looked around startled. "Where, how… Why are they still here? Where's Flaxx? The guy in the black hat, he's missing."
"Oh, he's on our side. Oscar, Rose, Carrie, I'd like to introduce you to Johny West. As for um why they're still here, you have Rose and Abbey to thank." I looked at Oscar. He looked annoyed and I don't blame him either. Johny ran behind me, picked me up and spun me around, his head resting on mine.
"Oh Honey! Are you alright? I didn't mean for you to get hurt. I'm so sorry."
I laughed and moved my hands to touch his face. "It's alright. I didn't know you were here. Tristan didn't say. Johny, put me down, please."
He chuckled and released me before spinning me around and pulling me into a huge bear hug. I laughed and tried to pull away. Eventually he let me go but he grabbed my hands, inspecting them. I flinched and he sighed.
"Come on, I've got a balm for this from Edie. Let's go and sort your hands out. I take it you're finished here? Frank, can I take her home?"
Frank looked up and nodded. "Yes. Good work today. Unorthodox but it worked and nobody got badly hurt. If you need a few days off, take them. Johnathan, it's been a pleasure working with you again, you too Alexander."
I saw Alex scowl. He hates being called by his full name.
Stark shook his head. "Let's get these criminals back to MI9 first, and then you can go."
I nodded reluctantly, knowing he was right. I turned and Johny wrapped his arms around me protectively and stroked my hair. Oscar glared at us and I ignored him. Johny didn't mean anything to me, well not in that way. He's just a friend. Stark and his men marched the captured bad people out. Murdaug stopped in front of me and glared.
"Have a nice trip girly, and enjoy my mark," he said grinning evilly. The guards pushed him forward and he stuck his leg out as he was pushed forward, causing me to trip ad fall, hitting my head on the ground. I blacked out, the various voices around me fading into nothing.
In the darkness I saw Alan and Sam. They were smiling, happily. I knew I was hallucinating.
"Alan? S-Sam? What… What's going on?"
"You were knocked unconscious by the Murdaug guy. We're just subconscious thoughts here to set your mind at ease whilst you're… out for the count."
"Oh Sam," I hugged him, trying to breathe in his scent but failing before I remembered this wasn't real.
He hugged me back before letting go and holding my hands which surprisingly didn't hurt here. "It's alright love. You don't need me anymore. Stop living in the past and move on. I don't mind if you go out with Oscar. It's fine, I promise. Come on, there's no need to cry."
He wiped my eyes and kissed my forehead. "I will always love you. Don't blame yourself, I don't. Go on, Al wants to talk to you."
I nodded, not daring to speak. I knew I've been blaming myself for his death. I should, I should've never let him go. If he hadn't gone, then maybe he wouldn't be dead now.
He looked at me again. "You're blaming yourself again. Stop it. It wasn't your fault, okay? It was no-one's fault except SKUL okay?"
I nodded again, happier than I'd felt in ages, well except when I was with Oscar but even then I'd been worried that I was letting Sam down by wanting to be with another guy.
Alan placed his hands on my shoulders and spun me around so I was facing him. "Sorry to drag you away but we need to talk."
I nodded and let him lead me away from my now dead strawberry-blond boyfriend.
Alan glared at me. "Alright, so why haven't you been coping? Don't give me that 'I've had so much to do' story you always gave, I know it's not true. We have told you so many times to not live in the past, so why aren't you listening?"
I sighed. "I just wasn't okay? Everything sorta hit home at once. Mum and Dad, eh Robin, then you… it just felt like I was being left all alone, like I had nothing. I was being pressed down by the weight of the world and no-one was helping me."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're not alone and you know it. There is no need to be paranoid. Stop being so morbid. You still have all of us, well, them from Barclay so just relax. You've got a lot more than you think. Okay?"
I nodded and blinked. He was right. He was always right. I smiled and hugged him. "Thank you." I let go, ran over to Sam and pulled him to where Alan and I had been standing. I stopped, puzzled slightly. It was weird that I referred to Alan as Alan even when he was in spy-mode but Robin was Sam and I well, was Honey right now. I stared at the two then smiled. It didn't matter. Either way, Robin was still Robin, even if he had been Sam and he had been mine, when he had been part of this world. No, wait, I'm unconscious so that means… confusing. I shook my head.
"Right, boys be good. I'm sorry you died, I really am but there's nothing I could have done or can do now which you've told me enough. I'll never forget you. Robin, I love you. Al, make sure you look after him okay? Don't let anything happen to him just because you're not really paying attention to the fact that…"
Sam/Robin stepped forward and placed his hand on my arm. "Honey, I can see here. I'm not blind anymore. Remember, you never saw me as blind. I love you too but it's time to move on."
I nodded again, starting to feel light-headed, the colours growing dim and bright white light flashed in my eyes. I stood, staring awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "I, I guess it's time for me to wake up. I won't forget you, ever and I'll always remember to visit your graves at least once a week okay?"
Alan nodded and I saw small tears slide down Robin's cheeks. He sniffed, wiping them away and I laughed.
"Hay fever again? Who knew it could affect you in a dream."
He choked back a sob before the pair of them rushed forward and crushed me in a bear hug.
"You don't need to come every week love. You are allowed a break. Either way, we'll always be here for you, so will your parents okay?"
I smiled and let go, staring at my boys. My vision brightened to a crisp white light of nothing as my mind returned to my body.
I blinked and tried to sit up. A strong pair of hands pushed me back down and I moaned slightly. Oscar's head swam into view, dispelling the fuzzy white lights that were clouding my vision. A hand was placed on my head and I sighed with pleasure form the coolness of the touch.
"Honey, are you alright? Honey?"
I tried to sit up again, slower than before and the hands that had pushed me down again didn't this time. Oscar beamed at me. I tried to smile back but it ended up more as a grimace. I opened my mouth to speak, croaked and coughed. I was handed a bottle of water and I drank greedily, savouring the cold liquid. I put the bottle down and tried to stand up.
"No Honey. Take it slow, alright? You hit your head pretty hard. I'm going to kill Murdaug,"
I shook my head and winced. Urgh I hate dizziness. "No Johny. I'm fine, honest love."
He sighed and nodded grimly. "Alright, just take it slow."
Frank ran over and shone a small light in my eyes. I blinked rapidly and tried to turn away. He turned my head, shone the light in my eyes again and turned the light off. "Well you look alright. Come on; let's get you to your feet."
He stepped back and Oscar and Johny helped me to my feet. I saw Alex stood quietly by Abbey. I knew he'd been worried. Abbey ran over and hugged me. As she let go, Johny picked me up and held me tightly, stroking my hair gently and whispering in my ear. I smiled.
"I'm alright. I just need to go home and rest for a bit. Johny, please. Put me down."
He set me down on my feet gently and I looked at Oscar.
"Hey."
He blinked and smiled. "Hey. Are you alright? Sorry, stupid question. Honey? Are you… What's wrong?"
I flinched and clutched at my skull as I felt multiple sharp shooting pains run through my head, covering the throbbing. I sank to my knees, my head bowed, muttering and swearing in multiple languages. Johny knelt beside me, looking really worried. Oscar stepped back into Alex, who knelt down beside me and took my head in his hands.
"What's wrong? What's the problem? Is it…oh." He lifted his hands away and stared at the red sticky mess now covering them. He placed his hands on my head again and started to pull. I shook my head and let go, my teeth gritted.
"No, wait. I need… the pins. If you… then it'll be worse. Can I, can I have a pot or something? Abbey, help?"
She walked over and began helping me pull out the sharp copper pins out of my hair. When she was finished, there were two piles of complete pins on the floor; one pile was clean but the others were coated in blood from where they'd been pushed into my skull when I fell. I pulled the wig off and sighed.
"How, how bad is it? I'm not going to hospital just because of a couple of hair pins."
I looked up. Oscar was backing up, several emotions flickering across his face: shock, confusion, anger, and then bitter hatred. Then I realised why. He didn't know that, I, Kittie and Honey, was really the same person.
"What the hell?" he shouted, making me wince. "You, you, Kittie? What the hell? So you are the same person? Both Honey and Kittie? Who are you really or is there someone else that you are that I don't know about? Huh? Did you know? Frank? Stark? I take it you didn't tell Carrie or Rose seeing as they look as shocked as I feel."
He stared at Frank and Stark and my gaze followed his. Stark was bright red, absolutely fuming, a vein above his right eye throbbing dangerously.
"London, what the hell is going on?"
Frank stepped forward. "It's not what you think. There's a perfectly good explanation for this."
Stark tapped his foot angrily. "Well?"
Johny stood up angrily. "She doesn't have to explain anything to you. If you'd bothered to read her files then you would know. There is a reason why she's Honey."
"So what is it? So you can lie to people? Play with their emotions? You're sick, you are Katharine."
I winced as Oscar spat those words at me, least because of the cloth Alex placed to my head.
"You're a liar, a cheat. I hate you!" he shouted and stormed out of the building with Rose and Carrie following.
I don't blame them, but why did he have to be so harsh? Granted, no wait, I never lied to him well I did about the privately tutored thing although I did get extra tutoring along with Michael and Jack occasionally. I never lied to him about Robin though. They were sort of separate people him and Sam. Sam only existed on missions, just like Honey, Jesse and Alex, although Lexi didn't change much.
"London, come on. Let's go. We have a bunch of criminals to take to MI9 and then we need to discuss… this."
Stark walked out coldly, his soldier-y people following. Frank looked flustered and followed after looking over apologetically and clapping Johny on the shoulder. The metal door banged shut, leaving us in semi-darkness as one by one the main lights blinked out. I sat there, sobbing, knowing I'd blown it. Oscar hated me. Sure he'd get over it eventually but that wouldn't change anything. I should have told him, I should have. Abbey hugged me as we sat in darkness, a cold wet cloth being held to my head and I embraced the darkness, letting it drown and fill my sorrows. Crap.
